The New England Patriots registered a seven on the NFL's Richter Trade Scale with their brilliant trade for No. 1 receiver, A.J. Brown. But amidst the euphoria about Brown, another need popped up on the screen due to a season-ending injury to free agent tight end Julian Hill.
The Patriots need a tight end, and Bleacher Report's Moe Moton has suggested one he feels should be a trade candidate, the Rams' Colby Parkinson.
Hill's injury was a lousy break, but the NFL is the NFL, and injuries happen. It's how teams prepare to deal with them that matters. In this case, the Patriots did draft a big tight end from Notre Dame in the third round, Eli Raridon, but he's had injury issues in the past himself and is likely more of a blocker than a pass catcher, which is the team's greater need.
They are again thin at the position, and that means a trade is essential.
The Patriots' need for more tight end depth just became glaringly obvious
With Hill's unfortunate injury clouding the Patriots' tight end situation, especially after losing tight end Austin Hooper to free agency, the team needs to move now to bolster the pass-catching tight end position.
Moton's thinking that tight end Colby Parkinson of the Rams should be available in a trade plays right into the Patriots' hands.
"Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay's offense features multiple tight ends in rotation, but it's an overcrowded room. The Rams signed Tyler Higbee to a two-year extension and selected Max Klare in the second round of this year's draft. According to The Athletic's Nate Atkins, the Rams hope 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson "takes the lead" in the tight end room.
Assuming Klare, Ferguson and Higbee are roster locks, Colby Parkinson or Davis Allen could be the odd man out if the Rams keep four tight ends. They're both entering the last year of their deals. Allen doesn't have much trade value, though...Parkinson is more likely to draw interest on the trade market after racking up career highs in catches (43), receiving yards (408) and touchdowns (eight) last season."
Parkinson is just what the doctor ordered for the Patriots' current needs. The mammoth 6'7", 266-pounder would be a huge addition both literally and figuratively for the Patriots' tight end unit. With a loaded and talented Rams' tight end contingent possibly leaving him on the outside looking in, the cost in a trade may not be prohibitive.
Adding a player like Kayshon Boutte or Pop Douglas into the deal also makes perfect sense.
The 27-year-old veteran Parkinson is exactly what the Patriots need. His size makes him a blocker by default, and he showed he can catch the ball and get into the end zone with his excellent 2025 season.
Mike Vrabel knows he needs to add to the tight end unit now. Trading for tight end Parkinson is exactly what the team and Drake Maye need to solidify the position after Hill's injury.
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