The biggest holes on the Patriots' roster are clear as day heading into the draft, and the expectation is they will address them early and often throughout the three-day process.
They're still heavily connected to a few blockbuster trades, on both sides of the ball, and now they might have a reason to inquire about a superstar player who just this week demanded a trade.
Dexter Lawrence has reportedly told the Giants he wants out of New York, and although the Patriots aren't necessarily in need of more help at defensive tackle, it's hard to overlook or dismiss the talent that Lawrence would bring to their defense, especially after losing some of their most consistent performers in free agency.
That's a point that Patriots Wire's Matt Legros makes in a recent trade proposal he believes would get a deal done for the three-time Pro Bowler, and it might be something Patriots fans should put on their radar for the 2026 season.
Dexter Lawrence could be the Patriots' next defensive star in a massive trade deal
While Legros doesn't draw up an exact mock trade, he does mention that the Patriots are in a good position to get a deal done that would include draft picks and potentially players on expiring contracts that they could replace in the upcoming draft.
Given the current discussion around what the Giants would demand in a trade, the assumption is a first or second-round pick, which the Patriots are rumored to be willing to part with.
On top of that, Legros believes they could throw in either receiver Kayshon Boutte and/or linebacker Christian Elliss, as both positions are in need of upgrading for New York before the upcoming season begins.
"Patriots have that, plus wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, as well as linebacker Christian Elliss, both of whom are approaching the final year of their respective deals.
The Giants have a need for a wide receiver to play opposite Malik Nabers next season. New York also has room for a linebacker to add to its second line of defense."
At first glance, this sounds like a lot for any player, but especially one who plays a position that isn't considered a priority. And to be fair, it is a hefty price to get Lawrence in the door. That should give the Patriots pause for consideration before just throwing the Giants the deal they want.
However, as Legros points out, both Boutte and Elliss are on expiring contracts, and unless the Patriots plan to extend them before next offseason, it's better to trade them now, replace them in the draft, and get something in return, rather than walking away in free agency for nothing.
"To replace either the departing Boutte or Elliss, New England has the option, under these circumstances, to zero in on a receiver such as Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. or Texas Tech’s KC Concepcion at No. 31 overall, as well as Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in the second round, in a perfect world, before rounding out the edges of their roster in the later rounds of the draft."
Fortunately, they're in a good position to get the talent they need to make up for the production lost from both players, if they're included in a trade.
Both are considered needy positions already, with wide receivers being mock-drafted to the Patriots in the first round over the past few months, especially. So perhaps this isn't the best idea unless Vrabel and Wolf feel confident they can find adequate players to take over their roles.
At the very least, this is a trade that they should inquire about. With Lawrence just one season removed from logging 44 combined tackles, eight for a loss, 16 quarterback hits, and nine sacks in just 12 games, he could be a difference-maker for their defense immediately and long-term.