The NFL trade deadline is almost here, and Patriots fans have a clear idea of where they want help first.
Tuesday, November 10 at 4 p.m. ET is the cutoff, and New England has a chance to use the deadline to strengthen a roster that has dealt with injuries on both sides of the ball all season. But in the latest SB Nation Reacts survey, one answer rose above the rest: 36% of respondents said the Patriots should target an offensive guard.
That said, the fan conversation was hardly one-track. The comment section branched out fast, with some pushing for the team to stay quiet unless the right deal appears, while others pointed to very different areas of need.
One fan wrote:
luckyfukikentucky
I think the Pats shound stand pat unless something worthwhile comes along. They should neither trade for a player or let go of anyone unless an offer you can’t refuse comes along.
They already shot their load on AJ. I hope the AJ situation improves but I’m far less optimistic than I was during the pre-season.
Others wanted help in the backfield, at tight end, or on the edge. One commenter said:
McFettish
I say running back. If Mondre goes down this team is truly toast. Kiner has been good, but Henderson is a borderline bust.
Another suggested a blocking tight end, adding:
KissBillsRings
Blocking TE& hopefully one that can catch too…
Edge help came up too, with one fan arguing the Patriots need bodies before the pass rush gets overworked:
RRDMuz
Edge for me. They’re going to kill Jacas and Ponder.
Way too many snaps. Josh Sweat would be a nice get.
They could throw in Jack Gibbens if they want.
There were also calls for more receiving help and run defense, plus one fan who simply wanted the team to address everything. As another commenter put it:
Maye The Force Be With You
Other: Blocking TE, realistic, cheap way to improve the running game and having a more balanced offense will help the entire offense.
Msp
We need skilled WRs
jpd985
A run stopping DT
Dynamo12
All of the above. I know that’s not realistic, but we have so many needs. Just saying.
Even with the guard vote leading the way, the Patriots do have some stability there. The team already lost starting guard Mike Onwenu for an extended stretch, and Alijah Vera-Tucker is on injured reserve, but Vera-Tucker is expected back this season.
Ben Brown, Matt Pryor, and Greg Van Roten also give New England solid depth on the interior. In the view of this survey, though, the Patriots are fine at that spot.
Elsewhere, 19% of voters chose off-ball linebacker, while 14% landed on edge rusher. That edge group is thin, with Gabe Jacas, Dre’Mont Jones and Elijah Ponder currently on the active roster. Another 12% wanted the Patriots to add a wide receiver, and 11% said the team should stand pat.
The deadline approach could also shape how fans feel about the team overall. Confidence remains high after the Patriots’ win over the Dolphins last week, though it dipped slightly from the previous survey. This week, 81% of voters said the Patriots are trending in the right direction, down from 84% last week.
Any move New England makes between now and Tuesday will be aimed at improving its shot at a Super Bowl run. The Patriots currently have the 11th-best odds on FanDuel Sportsbook to win the Lombardi Trophy, which ranks sixth in the AFC.
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