With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, the Patriots are in a spot that invites bold thinking. New England is 4-3, still very much in the AFC mix after a tough Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears, and now has extra time to figure out where it can tighten the screws before the next divisional matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
The roster is good enough to matter, but not complete enough to ignore. That opens the door to a trade deadline move, and there are a few areas where the Patriots could realistically go shopping.
Running back is the first place the conversation starts, even if it may not be the cleanest fit. New England already has three backs on the roster, so adding another runner would only make sense if the move brings a clearly different skill set. Behind Rhamondre Stevenson, the production has been uneven from week to week.
TreVeyon Henderson was expected to play a major role in the passing game this season, but he has had a rough time on the ground and got just three carries on Thursday. Corey Kiner runs with some power, but he still lacks the NFL experience needed for a bigger load.
That’s why a receiving back could be the lane to watch, and Tony Pollard is a name that fits the idea. He was previously floated as a possible Patriots trade target last season, and he has 349 yards and one touchdown on a struggling Tennessee Titans team.
He also profiles as the kind of back Josh McDaniels would want in this offense.
The offensive line is another area that could use outside help, especially inside. Injuries have thinned the interior badly, with Mike Onwenu breaking his ankle, Greg Van Roten landing on IR one week later, Aliijah Vera-Tucker going on IR this week and Ben Brown dealing with an ankle injury. That’s a lot to absorb for one unit.
Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse have done encouraging work in relief, but the Patriots could still use a bigger swing if they want to shore up the front for the stretch run. One name that stands out, even if it feels like a long shot, is Quenton Nelson. He has been one of the league’s best guards since the Indianapolis Colts drafted him, and if New England wants to help protect Drake Maye when the weather turns, a true starting guard would be a meaningful addition.
Cornerback is the other spot that could draw attention. The Patriots were without Carlton Davis, Channing Canada and Karon Prunty against the Bears, which only added to the uncertainty there.
Charles Woods has stepped up with Davis sidelined, while Marcus Jones and Christian Gonzalez have continued to handle their usual roles well. Kindle Vildor is also on the 53-man roster, giving the group some depth for now.
Still, there’s reason to think New England could use more insurance at the position. The schedule features Justin Jefferson, Jaylen Waddle, D.J. Moore, Christian Watson and Garrett Wilson later in the year, and while Gonzalez will be matched up with those top receivers, another injury would create a problem fast.
A few names have already been mentioned in trade chatter, including Philadelphia’s Kelee Ringo and Riq Woolen, Tampa Bay’s Zyon McCollum and Los Angeles’ Donte Jackson. How aggressive the Patriots get at corner may depend on Davis, who has been dealing with a neck injury over the last few games.
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