While the Patriots have made numerous moves to the defensive front this offseason, questions remain surrounding their edge defenders. Harold Landry was signed as a veteran option for over $40 million across three seasons, and K'Lavon Chaisson arrived from the Raiders after a career-high five sacks.
The team also added LSU talent Bradyn Swinson in the draft. Anfernee Jennings remains a contributor from last year.
Although the group has some interesting names, it leaves something to be desired. An aging Landry offers a nice secondary option. Chaisson hasn't lived up to his first-round billing, and Jennings, as good of a run stopper as he is, struggles to get after the QB. Rookie Swinson hasn't played an NFL snap. While T.J. Watt trade package. Ideas have circulated in NFL media, but the likelihood of him being available seems very low to me.
A more reasonable addition may still come from the AFC North, though: Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson.
Trey Hendrickson remains at a standstill with the Bengals over a contract dispute
Hendrickson's situation is an interesting one. As talented as the Bengals are, they've been plagued by random injuries and generally poor defenses despite respectable investment through draft picks. The league's 25th-ranked defense didn't have many playmakers, but Hendrickson has been a force, leading the NFL in sacks with 17.5 this past season, a total that matched his 2023 number.
As good as he is, he's seeking a new contract likely worth north of $30 million. The 30-year-old is fantastic, but he likely only has one to two more seasons of elite play left. After paying Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins already, a Hendrickson extension may not be in the cards. The Bengals may be better off moving him in favor of draft picks to land cheaper contributors.
This isn't a new story necessarily, contract talks and trade rumors have been surrounding the QB hunter throughout this offseason. CBS's Jeff Kerr further states that a Hendrickson trade is more likely to be a reality than an overreaction.
The Patriots should make the call about Hendrickson's availability
Cap space is no issue for the Patriots, and if they want Hendrickson, they have little reason not to get him. With Milton Williams and Christian Barmore attacking from the middle and Robert Spillane behind, Hendrickson would make a fearsome pair of edge rushers opposite Landry. A second and late round pick seems fair to me - a higher price than what a productive Matt Judon went for in his trade to Atlanta.
The Patriots' depth at WR is a well. I keep going back to sweeten mock trades, perhaps Kayshon Boutte is a player the Bengals would like to add as a cheap WR to compete with Andrei Iosivas?
Additionally, Anfernee Jennings could be an appealing player to add to the Bengals' defense. Perhaps a second-round pick and Jennings are enough to push the deal over the line? Hendrickson is an incredibly talented player, and there's no doubt premium draft capital and top-line money would need to be paid to make him a Patriot.
Nonetheless, if there's a chance to add a player who's had 35 sacks in the last two years, all resources should be exhausted to land him.