As this season's trade deadline nears, the Patriots continue to be one of the most discussed teams to be actively making moves to improve their roster in one way or another. Because they have the most cap space to use, they are consistently pinged as the team to make the biggest blockbuster move, especially for a wide receiver.
That means a player like AJ Brown, who still appears to be unhappy with his current standing with the Eagles, remains in the conversation, even if the likelihood of him being traded is slim to none, given the dead cap Philadelphia would have to take on. But that means other intriguing names, with the latest being Vikings' Jordan Addison, enter the conversation.
The third-year receiver was brought up by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer earlier this week, and he is someone who makes a lot of sense for what the Patriots' receiving corps needs and what Mike Vrabel has already stated the team would be looking for in a trade candidate.
Another young wide receiver is in the mix for the Patriots to consider trading for ahead of this year's deadline
Because Addison is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, it would be easy for the Vikings to move him, and the Patriots to take on his contract. That's a big reason Breer believes he could be moved and why Vrabel and Co. might be interested in acquiring the 23-year-old.
That is also what keeps Saints' Chris Olave in the picture, but since they don't have a top-name receiver to keep them afloat the way the Vikings do with Justin Jefferson, it's more unlikely that Olave gets traded.
"Guys that are nearing the end of the rookie deals, where maybe their teams like the player, but don't plan on signing them long-term. I think that would be a sort of long-term buy that you would look at -- somebody (who's) a younger player, where then maybe you are willing to give up big-time draft capital."
When the Patriots signed Stefon Diggs, he was brought in to be the WR1 the offense has lacked for several years, but it was also clear he wasn't necessarily the long-term solution at the position, given his age. That's why someone like Kyle Williams was drafted, which has worked well with the rise of Kayshon Boutte this year.
But that still leaves the opportunity to trade for someone like Addison on the table for the team, depending on the price. Because he was a first-round pick in 2023, there's a good chance the Vikings will want a decent return. The Patriots can afford that, especially if they consider Addison to be someone that could become a building block offensively and a tremendous help for Drake Maye.
At the same time, however, there's no need to move off of a player like Boutte to add Addison, and that could easily be part of Minnesota's asking price to trade him.
It would be a hard decision for Vrabel and Co. to make, and they'll have to decide if they believe Addison, who has recorded 151 receptions for 2,069 yards and 20 touchdowns in 35 games over three seasons, has a higher ceiling than Boutte, who is already on the team and will cost nothing to keep around.