At 1-5, the New England Patriots' 2023 season is effectively over.
Bill Belichick has a catastrophe on his hands, as his offense looks like the worst in all of football and, on defense, they have suffered multiple blowouts.
Before this month's trade deadline, it might be time for the Patriots to wave the white flag and start selling. Here are three trades they could consider to start building for the future.
Trade Number 1: Kendrick Bourne returns to the 49ers
The first team New England could look at in terms of a trade is the San Francisco 49ers, who are coming off a game that saw a few key players injured. One of those players, Deebo Samuel, seemed to escape a major injury. However, the 49ers would be smart to add insurance just in case. Samuel has been oft-injured throughout his career.
This deal gives the Patriots a later pick in next year's draft while sending a familiar face back to San Francisco. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has found himself making a larger impact lately and, after a 10-reception game last week, looks like a prime trade candidate.
Bourne spent the first four years of his career in San Francisco after going undrafted out of East Washington and would return to the Kyle Shanahan-led offense he was once familiar with. This now gives the 49ers Brandon Aiyuk, Samuel, Bourne and Jauan Jennings as their top four receivers.
Trade Number 2: Josh Uche heads to the Falcons
Next up, we get to a more juicy deal and maybe the best trade candidate on this Patriots roster. Over the offseason, there was a lot made about pass rusher Josh Uche not receiving a new deal and whether or not the Patriots should offer him a long-term extension. The curious case of Uche revolves around the fact that, to begin his pro career, he dealt with injuries and inconsistency with his opportunities.
Then, last year, Uche broke out. He totaled a whopping 11.5 sacks while playing only 38 percent of snaps on defense. That is a startling level of productivity, and a reason why many Patriots fans wanted to see him locked down for the foreseeable future. But now, if the Patriots could get a decent pick for him rather than potentially allowing him to leave via free agency, then they should do so.
The Atlanta Falcons defense is one of the most-improved units in football this year, and also one of the very best, overall. As we speak, they are currently fourth in the league in yardage allowed, giving up just over 278 yards per game on the year. The problem comes when they rush the passer, having only 10 sacks on the season as a team.
That's where Uche comes in and provides a big lift. The Falcons might have to make a change on offense, too, in order to compete. But, if they make a couple of moves with this one included, then they have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC South, which still appears wide open.
The Patriots, meanwhile, get a third-round pick in exchange for someone they could have lost in free agency, anyway.
Trade Number 3: The Ravens land Rhamondre Stevenson
This has been a down year for Rhamondre Stevenson, after an offseason full of a lot of hope. Stevenson was a fantasy football darling at one point, picked to be a breakout player after amassing 1,000 yards in his second season last year. But, through six weeks, Stevenson has averaged just 3.0 yards per carry and scored twice.
Granted, the Patriots' offense has a lot of problems they're facing right now. They have much to get fixed, and Stevenson isn't the sole reason for his down year. That's why New England should try dangling him to a team like the Baltimore Ravens.
It seems the Ravens are the no. 1 team brought up when talking about a potential running back trade, because of their loss of J.K. Dobbins and seeing Gus Edwards and Justice Hill also already dealing with injuries early in the season. Getting a guy like Stevenson would give the Ravens a back who could handle a good majority of the load while also providing pass-catching ability.
The Patriots get a sixth-round pick, here, which seems like a great value for a running back that they wouldn't pay in the end, anyway. This would leave Ezekiel Elliott as the team's primary back in a season that has gone completely down the drain.