Because the Patriots are still loaded in cap space and have a few areas on the roster that need to be dealt with before the season begins, there is still a chance that the new regime led by Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf will pull off some big trades to put their team in the best position to win this fall.
Although they haven't yet made any trades to signify they are interested in doing so, the duo in charge have implied they would over the past few months, especially for a wide receiver.
Under that assumption, it's easy to dream up some blockbuster trades to really demonstrate Bill Belichick is no longer calling the shots. It would be quite a way to welcome the Jerod Mayo era in New England and prove they intend to turn the franchise back into a winning and successful organization.
That leads us to dream up some massive trades that would put the Patriots over the top in 2024 and beyond. They might not be legitimate possibilities, but accomplishing any of these trades would immediately usher in a new vibe in Foxboro.
6 dream trades Patriots could get done to prove a new regime is in town
WR Brandon Aiyuk
At the top of the list for most Patriots fans regarding dream trades would be one for a clear top-name wide receiver, and who better than Brandon Aiyuk?
The negotiations between him and the 49ers continue to drag on, with conflicting reports providing updates on what's going on behind the scenes. Some suggest a deal is imminent, as the team and Aiyuk want to stay together, while others claim the receiver still wants to be traded.
Since nothing has been set in stone yet, the idea of Aiyuk being traded to the Patriots is still plausible, given the amount of cap space they still have and their need for a receiver of his caliber. He would immediately become the top weapon on the rebuilding offense and remain that whenever Drake Maye officially takes over under center.
The price will be high, as rumors stated the 49ers wanted nothing less than a first-round draft pick. But if Mayo and Wolf could manipulate the trade in their favor, like potentially offering a second-rounder and maybe a player, the price might not feel as steep.
No matter what, pulling off this trade would likely be worth it for both teams in the long run. The 49ers get a great return for a player they didn't intend to extend beyond the 2024 season, and the Patriots finally add a game-changing receiver they've needed for several years.
The best part is that he's only 26 years old and on the brink of having his best season yet if given the chance to be the WR1. What's not to like?
EDGE Joey Bosa
Because Matthew Judon's fate is up in the air right now, likely stemming from the injury he suffered during the 2023 season and his age, perhaps they would be interested in acquiring another stud on the defensive line.
How about Joey Bosa?
He's not much younger and doesn't necessarily have a better injury history, but the Chargers seemed to let it be known that they don't want to keep him around for much longer. He's only under contract through the 2025 season, as it is.
The new guys in charge in Los Angeles have already dangled Bosa as trade bait this offseason, among the several players they chose to let walk in free agency. If that indicated their plans to move on from him any time soon, the Patriots could get a deal done relatively easily and quickly.
The price tag to acquire Bosa might not be as hefty as others on this list, but his contract would be. He has a cap hit of over $26 million in 2024 and $36 million in 2025. The good thing for New England is they are well equipped in cap space this year and next to afford him and could immediately restructure his contract to work in their favor.
DT Jonathan Allen
Another name that has been connected to the Patriots and could be considered a partner for Christian Barmore on the defensive line is Commanders' Jonathan Allen.
The defensive tackle has been the subject of several trade rumors since the offseason began, mainly due to the likelihood he will leave Washington next year when his contract expires. The team has seemingly made no effort to keep him beyond the 2024 season, so it would best for them to trade him and get something in return than watch him leave for nothing.
In that case, the Patriots should be on the phone to negotiate a trade as soon as possible.
Allen has proven to be as solid as they come throughout his seven-year career and has performed better as the years go on. He's missed just three games since the 2018 season, which is a factor the Patriots certainly need with their defensive line.
His reliability and consistency have inevitably helped him be named to two Pro Bowls in back-to-back seasons, making the idea of the Patriots trading for him even more enticing. He's a wrecking ball on the field and would help eliminate the fear of lining up against some of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league, especially since a few of them play for the AFC East.
TE Dawson Knox
Adding more depth to the tight end room has seemingly gone under the radar this offseason, mainly due to Hunter Henry's contract extension in free agency. He has been the best at the position since Rob Gronkowski "retired" in 2019 and has become one of the most reliable weapons for any quarterback since he signed with the team three years ago.
He is expected to remain the TE1 this fall, and who will accompany him will be determined by how training camp goes for several players, including rookie Jaheim Bell.
Because of his connection to Alex Van Pelt, the Patriots signed Austin Hooper to be Henry's backup, but he hasn't had an impressive season in enough time not to feel too comfortable with him being their best player behind their starter.
The same could be said for the others on the roster, which opens the door for a trade with the Bills for Dawson Knox.
Typically, in-division trades are not common, especially when they involve teams with such rivaled histories. But the Bills drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the 2023 draft, and he filled in for Knox while he was out with an injury last year far better than most may have anticipated.
Kincaid certainly lived up to the first-round hype and can take over as the TE1 in Buffalo if they choose to go that route. If so, Knox should become available, and the Patriots should jump on the opportunity to find the best possible partner for Henry in the next few years.
He has been a solid performer for the Bills since he was drafted in 2019, averaging just under 400 yards a season. But Kincaid topped that as a rookie by recording 673 yards. Going with the younger, first-round option might be the way to go, making Knox available for a decent price.
CB James Bradberry
Although most fans hope Stephon Gilmore will reunite with the Patriots for the 2024 season, Mayo and Wolf could instead trade for a younger and high-performing cornerback in James Bradberry.
After the departures of Myles Bryant, J.C. Jackson, and Jalen Mills, the secondary is looking a bit scarce for the season ahead. Fortunately, Christian Gonzalez will be back in the lineup after missing most of his rookie season due to injury. Marcus Jones will also return to focus on his given position rather than being used on offense. And we can't forget about Jonathan Jones, who will remain a starter alongside Gonzalez.
But beyond those three, the Patriots don't have reliable help. That's where trading for Bradberry would make a lot of sense.
The cornerback had been a rumored trade target heading into this year's draft, with the Eagles allegedly looking to move on from him after just two seasons. He's under contract through the 2025 season and wouldn't be too expensive to acquire if the Patriots wanted to make a deal.
Most trade proposals have teams giving up later-round picks, which would be ideal for New England, given their current rebuilding status.
OT Cam Robinson
Besides the obvious choice of adding a top-name wide receiver to the offense, the Patriots could also use a solid left tackle option to put Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye in the best position possible to succeed this year.
There aren't many likable options remaining in free agency, but trading for a guy like Cam Robinson could be a great move.
The seven-year veteran has been an anchor for the Jacksonville Jaguars since he was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft, allowing just 23 sacks during that time. He has played some of his best football since being given the duty of protecting Trevor Lawrence, proving he has what it takes to be exactly what the Patriots would need on the offensive line.
He would bring a veteran presence to the unit, which is currently lacking and would be a great replacement for Trent Brown, who signed with the Bengals early this offseason. Robinson's blocking would allow either quarterback to thrive and would help open up the run game, which is expected to be the primary focus under Alex Van Pelt.
Given his age, trading for Robinson might not be too pricey for the Patriots. But his experience and consistency might be trickier for the Jaguars to part with. Surely, a deal could get done for a mid-late round draft pick, a price New England can afford for a solid left tackle.