The Patriots have only played in one game, and it's far too early to hit the panic button for any number of reasons, but there is always room to discuss the possibility of a team hoping to improve their roster to engage in trade talks when an intriguing name might become available. With the amount of cap space they still have available, even though they will need to use much of it to roll over into next year, there might be room to use it on this year's roster.
Several players have been connected to the team since the start of the offseason, some of whom would have required a blockbuster trade offer to get done, which is why no deals have been made.
There was a strong chance that they could have accomplished that with some of the more noteworthy names looking for new contracts, such as Micah Parsons, but instead, they could shift their focus to more realistic options.
The most worthy might be more help on offense, to help Drake Maye have a better second season in the NFL, and there are two tight end options who might be worthy of inquiring about.
The Patriots might want to look into two tight end trade options to improve their offense
The new regime led by Mike Vrabel certainly put in the work to improve the offensive roster this offseason, but there is room for more upgrades to be made, especially when looking at the current tight end room.
Although Hunter Henry had a standout game, one that has now put him in elite company with Patriots' all-time greats, it's clear that adding some younger talent would immediately make them a better group.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes two interesting players, Falcons' Kyle Pitts and Browns' David Njoku, are likely on the trade block, and although he doesn't have the Patriots listed as potential suitors, they are players that could easily be on their radar.
Pitts has been connected to the team for the last year, especially this past offseason, when he looked like he was on the outside looking in. Despite making the 2025 roster, he might still be considered tradeable, and Knox believes he could go for a 2026 third-round pick, a selection the Patriots could easily afford to give up.
The 24-year-old would bring an immediate boost to an otherwise older roster led by Henry and Austin Hooper and provide the Patriots with a building block of the future with a lot of potential left to be unlocked. Pitts has had an up-and-down career thus far, but it would be fair to argue that it has a lot to do with the revolving door of head coaches and quarterbacks since he was drafted in 2021, and he hasn't been able to be a more significant part of the offensive scheme.
Despite that, he has recorded 203 receptions for 2,710 yards and ten touchdowns in five seasons. While it might not be among the best stat lines of all tight ends, there's a good chance his talent could be utilized in a Josh McDaniels offense, and he could be elevated to a new level because of his influence.
The might be room to add another seasoned veteran to the roster instead
The same can be said about Njoku, who is speculated to go for a conditional third-rounder. The 29-year-old might not be the ideal age, considering the tight end roster is an older group. However, he has been a consistent contributor to the Browns' offense and their revolving door of quarterbacks since 2017.
His experience could certainly help the offense and what Mike Vrabel is hoping to accomplish with the team this year, and it might be worth sending a conditional pick to see what he could do. He recorded 64 receptions for 505 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games last year, and 81 receptions for 882 yards and six scores the year before.
Whether the Patriots will legitimately be interested in either Pitts or Njoku is challenging to say. But they have the means to inquire and be serious if so, and it might be worth it in the long run to, at the very least, consider a move, even if it's not for either of these tight ends.