Over the past two weeks, there has been a lot of chatter regarding the Patriots' interest in making a trade ahead of next week's deadline, with most reports suggesting they have been looking into pass rushers and running backs to add to the roster. They have plenty of money to make a big-time trade, if that were of interest, and as the days go on, more intriguing names are appearing on the radar.
Although the latest one doesn't play for either position the team is allegedly looking into, it would be difficult for the Patriots not to seriously consider inquiring about the availability of Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Head coach Liam Cohen stated that they are not actively shopping the 23-year-old, but history has shown us time and time again that nobody is ever off limits. So, if the Patriots want to add even more firepower to their offense for Drake Maye, then Thomas is a good one to look into.
And if that's a move they're willing to consider, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox just proposed a stellar deal that would benefit both the Patriots and the Jaguars.
There's no reason for the Patriots not to, at the very least, inquire about Brian Thomas Jr.'s trade availability
Looking at New England's roster, there aren't many players that other teams would view as desirable that could be traded, but that doesn't mean there aren't any that could be included in a deal for someone of Thomas' caliber.
Knox believes it would take including linebacker Marte Mapu and a conditional second-round pick in next year's draft to get a trade done, and while Mapu has been good for the Patriots this year, it would almost be too good to be true that he is the only player they'd have to include in a move of this magnitude.
The second-round pick could be considered a high price for a player who is uncharacteristically struggling with drops this year, but at his young age and coming off a rookie season where he recorded 87 receptions for 1,282 and ten touchdowns, it wouldn't be easy for the Patriots to look the other way if Thomas were to become available.
That's especially true when considering he accomplished that stat line with a quarterback like Trevor Lawrence, and Maye is far better than him at the position, even at this point in his career. So imagine just how much better he could be in New England.
The Jaguars are reportedly looking to add to their defense, so Mapu makes sense, and he's flashed enough to be a starter on another team. That could be intriguing for a team like Jacksonville, especially if he's accompanied by a second-round pick.
It would be a decision the Patriots will have to carefully consider at this point in the season, since the receiving corps doesn't appear to be a unit in desperate need of upgrading. But at the same time, a player like Thomas doesn't just become available all the time.
He could be their best option if they want to add more juice to the offense, mainly at the price set by Knox. Or they'll have to look at other positions to trade for, which might not be any easier to get done.