The Patriots continue to sit with the most cap space remaining just weeks before the start of the 2025 season, and they have some intriguing trade options to consider to really put their roster over the top, even if they are a few years out from being a true contender.
Although it looks like their chances of landing a blockbuster deal for Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin appear DOA, all signs point to Trey Hendrickson being available for the taking, as NFL insiders revealed the Bengals are entertaining trade offers for the four-time Pro Bowler.
If he is a player who has been on Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf's radar, now is their chance to make a move and build one of the best defensive lines and pass-rushing groups in the league.
To make their chances even better, it's easy to determine what their trade offer should include, and it wouldn't make too much of a mark on their roster plans for the upcoming season, instead making their defense even better than anyone could have predicted before the offseason began.
The Bengals would have a hard time refusing this Patriots trade offer for Trey Hendrickson
Because of the caliber of player that Hendrickson is, the Patriots will know their offer will need to be big and better than several other teams that are likely already inquiring about getting a deal done as soon as possible.
Fortunately for New England, they have more cap space than any other team, which allows them to take on Hendrickson's current contract and presumably extend him right away. But they also have a few players, like Kendrick Bourne and Anfernee Jennings, who have fallen down the depth chart this summer and could provide the most bang for their buck to include them in this trade.
Bourne is a proven receiver who could immediately become a WR3 for Washington behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. There have been rumors about Samuel's readiness for the season, with plenty of chatter regarding his health and fitness level, which could make adding another pass catcher into the mix worthwhile for the Commanders.
That would work out nicely for the Patriots, who have not seemed all that interested in integrating Bourne into their offensive identity despite having the best season of his career under Josh McDaniels in 2021.
They could also add a young pass rusher by acquiring Jennings. He has been a solid player for the Patriots since he was drafted in 2020 and had a standout game against the Vikings this past weekend. However, he is already deemed tradeable for reportedly not fitting the style of linebacker that Vrabel prefers for his defenses, making him an easy addition to include in a trade package for a player like Hendrickson.
It feels like a win/win for both teams, and the Patriots will have assembled easily one of their most dominant defenses in several years. It would make for a much more exciting upcoming season and put any questions to rest regarding how good their defensive line could be, because the sky would be the limit with Hendrickson in the lineup.