Patriots fail opportunity to add stellar pass rusher before trade deadline
The 2024 NFL trade deadline has now come and gone, and the Patriots, despite the countless rumors suggesting they would be active, didn't trade away or trade for a single player. There was plenty of suggestion that they were hoping to move on from players like receivers K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, and others on expiring contracts, but they either didn't receive much interest in them or changed their mind in the hours leading to the 4 p.m. deadline.
They were also rumored to be in the market for a receiver or some offensive line help, neither of which were acquired. And although it wasn't necessarily a top need right now, they missed out on a big opportunity to add a dominant defensive player to the team who could help move the group in the right direction the rest of the season.
Veteran pass rusher Azeez Ojulari was allegedly being shopped on Tuesday by the Giants, and their rumored asking price was reasonable: a fourth-round pick.
Teams are still trying to see what the Giants are going to do with Azeez Ojulari. New York is looking for a high 5 pick or late 4th rounder, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 5, 2024
If the Giants decide to keep him, Ojulari becomes a free agent at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/dHfhPQey2d
With Matthew Judon's departure during the preseason and the loss of Christian Barmore indefinitely, the Patriots 'pass rush hasn't thrived in their absence. Keion White had a flashy start, recording four sacks in the first two games, but he hasn't made much noise in that regard since.
Pairing him with a guy like Ojulari could have solved a lot of problems for their deteriorating defense. He's already recorded six sacks this season, on top of 26 combined tackles with seven for a loss and nine quarterback hits.
Adding him to the defensive line would help give more opportunities for White to get back into the rhythm he had at the beginning of the year, on top of learning from a veteran who has been very successful since he was drafted in 2021.
It feels like a missed opportunity for New England, considering Ojulari is a former second-round pick, and they have an extra third-rounder in next year's draft to make up for the loss of what they would give up to acquire him.
The silver lining of it all is that Ojulari is a free agent next offseason, so if the Patriots did show any interest, they could try to get him next year.
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