The NFL trade deadline is just around the corner, and the conversation about which players will likely move is heating up. The Patriots are in a position to be at the top of the list at specific positions, with analysts linking them to receivers and pass rushers in recent weeks; with their season picking up, they may consider making a trade.
Although adding a receiver would make sense, given that they had only four active for last week's game against the Raiders, A.J. Brown is set to return as early as this week, which could mean they'll hold off on trading for a pass catcher moving forward.
They could be more interested in adding a pass rusher, though, with Harold Landry's return up in the air, and the longer he isn't talked about, the more it looks unlikely he will even play at any point during the 2026 season.
That could put them in the market for a player like Khalil Mack, a 9-time Pro Bowler who could be on his way to his fourth team. The Patriots make a lot of sense in many ways, mostly because they don't have a proven sack artist on the roster right now, and if Mack is up for trade, they have reason to inquire.
With so many players dealing with injuries and the injury bug plaguing New England's roster, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make a move for Mack.
If Khalil Mack is on the trade market, the Patriots should make a call
Through the first five games of the season, the pass-rushing group has exceeded expectations and looks to be filled with future stars in the making.
Rookie Gabe Jacas has exhibited all the traits of a dominant pass rusher, and with more development and time, he could become exactly what the Patriots' defense needs for a long time.
The same goes for Elijah Ponder, an undrafted free agent the Patriots brought in last offseason, who made a name for himself quickly. He's risen to the occasion in 2026, continuing to be among the league's top names with his play, which has helped offset the hole left by Landry's absence.
While all of that has been a welcome sight, it doesn't mean the defense is flawless, especially in the pass rush. That's where adding a player like Mack would make a lot of sense, especially at the right price.
The 35-year-old might not meet the main criteria Mike Vrabel wants for the team, which mostly come down to age, but he is a proven talent who has already recorded 15 combined tackles, 5 for a loss, 5 quarterback hits, and 3 sacks this year.
His production has declined over the last few years, but the Patriots won't need him on the field every down, even more so if Jacas and Ponder keep playing at such a high level. That could mean Mack performs better if he isn't asked to be the primary defender going after quarterbacks, and the Patriots could get more bang for their buck.
Of course, it all comes down to what the Chargers want, and the assumption is that, given his age, Mack won't command a hefty price tag. That makes him even more intriguing to the Patriots, and if Landry can't play this year, he could be his replacement.
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