3 players the New England Patriots could trade at the 2023 deadline
The New England Patriots could quite possibly look to sell veteran players this season. With a potential logjam at specific positions or the possibility of going into tank mode, the Patriots could be active at the trade deadline.
That got us at Musket Fire thinking of potential trade candidates for the Patriots. Here are three players the Patriots could look to trade at the deadline.
Kendrick Bourne
Kendrick Bourne feels like an obvious trade candidate because he simply is.
Bourne has lost the trust of Bill Belichick, and he has not been heading in the right direction over the last two years. After being put in the doghouse for poor attitude and play, Bourne enters this season under immense pressure.
#Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne says he did not give a full effort last season pic.twitter.com/cAffcc6zy8
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 10, 2023
If Bourne fails to improve from last season, I think he is a lock to be traded.
If he were to be traded, I think he would get a solid return because when he is at his best, he is a solid player. I expect contending teams to show interest in Bourne next season if he becomes available.
DeVante Parker
Although sticking with the wide receiver position is boring, there is a real chance a receiver gets moved.
DeVante Parker is a potential candidate, and his new contract extension makes him more likely to be traded. With the incentives and low guarantees in Parker’s deal, I think it raises his chances to be moved this year because it is a reasonable, team-friendly contract.
Update: "More than half" of the contract that the #Patriots gave WR DeVante Parker is "tied to incentives", per @MikeReiss
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 2, 2023
Additionally, “There isn’t a high total of guaranteed money.” on the new deal.
More here:https://t.co/4oRD9H1xuU pic.twitter.com/WOqLrjCTey
If the Patriots sign DeAndre Hopkins, I would say that Parker is a lock to be traded at the deadline because he would be the odd man out.
Michael Onwenu
If the Patriots go into tank mode this season and start selling players, I think Michael Onwenu has to be at the top of the list. Onwenu is one of the few blue-chip talents the Patriots have on their roster, and they could get a significant return for him.
Also, with Onwenu entering a contract year, the Patriots may look to trade him because they know he is due for a big payday.
Ultimately, it will be interesting to see what happens at the deadline this year.