There's no reason for the Patriots not to make big-time trade for familiar defender

Looking at the Patriots' roster and how they have collectively performed so far this season, there are plenty of guesses about what positions they might target with the trade deadline right around the corner. Many have suggested they'll prioritize the offense, but the latest from reporters like The Athletic's Chad Graff suggests otherwise —and with some of the rumored names potentially becoming available, it makes sense.

Among those most noteworthy are Titans' pass rusher Jeffrey Simmons, who Mike Vrabel is very familiar with from his days in Tennessee. Although he hasn't been officially declared available before the deadline, rumors claim the Patriots are expected to be strongly interested.

Given that their pass rush is considered one of their weaker areas, adding a dominant player like Simmons would be a significant boost to an already improving defense.

And looking at how the Titans' season has fared so far, which has already seen the firing of their head coach, it wouldn't be at all surprising if they become big sellers at the deadline, something the Patriots should take advantage of.

The Patriots might have a good opportunity to add a pass rusher to transform their defense this season

The new regime in Foxboro made it clear what they were trying to accomplish this offseason when they prioritized adding to the defense in free agency by signing Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane, and Milton Williams.

Boosting the defensive line while adding threats to the pass rush was exactly what the roster needed, yet there is still room for improvement halfway through the season.

That's why a player like Simmons could completely transform their defensive identity; maybe not to the degree of someone like Myles Garrett or TJ Watt, but enough to make them a more consistent threat to opposing offenses and to consistently pull off the kind of performance they are looking for.

Simmons is already on a standout track this season by recording 30 combined tackles, eight for a loss, 11 quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He's coming off his third Pro Bowl season with the Titans and has already expressed admiration for Mike Vrabel, another positive sign that he wouldn't be against a trade to New England.

Adding him to the lineup with players like Christian Barmore and Williams would make the defensive line an absolute nightmare for offenses the rest of the 2025 season. He also provides the kind of veteran experience and leadership Vrabel wants in the locker room, so there's even more reason to make a deal beyond what he can do on the field.

It certainly wouldn't be cheap to acquire him, as he was a first-round pick. However, if the Patriots view him as a priority addition, then there's good reason to believe they'll be willing to do what it takes to get him in the door.