At this point in the NFL offseason, trades are not off the table, as training camp will give every team a solid look at their roster and the holes they still need to address. The Patriots have a few glaring issues with their team, with their defensive line as a focal point of concern.
For the most part, their pass rush has raised the most concerns among analysts and fans, despite Mike Vrabel's insistence that they have a good group to work with. While that might be true, they don't appear to have a game-changer, a significant weakness that was on full display during their postseason run last year.
With Harold Landry recovering from offseason surgery, rookie Gabe Jacas' future looking more unclear than ever, and K'Lavon Chaisson signing with the Commanders in free agency, it's clear that the defensive line needs more help.
That could lead the Patriots to sign a free agent like Jadeveon Clowney, or if they'd rather just add more talent to their defensive line who aren't solely focused on being a pass rusher, they could engage in trade talks with a team like the Eagles, particularly if they could pull off a deal like one proposed by Wynston Wilcox of FanSided.com.
Although giving up more draft capital might not be at the top of their list, it would be difficult to pass on the chance to add a proven player like defensive tackle Jalen Carter if he were made available.
Another blockbuster trade might fall into the Patriots lap before the season begins
As one of the leading names rumored to be a trade candidate this offseason, Carter could be the Patriots' latest target for the right price. He might not be a massive threat as a pass rusher, since he only recorded three sacks in 2025; he is reliable as a blocker, ranking 9th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen according to PFF.
Pairing him with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams would give the team one of their best starting defensive lineups in many years, and if they could get him for the proposed price of a 2027 second- and fifth-round pick, then it might be a no-brainer decision.
That's a deal Wilcox proposed for the Vikings to offer, and if it's something the Eagles would seriously entertain, then the Patriots have no reason not to inquire, too.
Obviously, adding a legitimate pass rusher should be more of a priority than trading for a player like Carter. But if the Patriots are unwilling to do that, then maybe a defensive tackle will be a more desirable trade instead.
He's only 25 years old and has already been a part of a few Super Bowl rosters since joining the league as a first-round pick in 2023. He can bring that experience to New England and help create an unstoppable defense in a way that the Patriots haven't had since the good ole' days of the dynasty, and that's enough to get fans to jump on board with the idea.
If not Carter, but they're willing to give up that kind of draft capital, then the Patriots need to explore trades for a pass rusher instead. Regardless, this potential deal should get the wheels turning in Foxboro, and it would be better to make a move now rather than wait until they have fewer options.
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