The Ravens have agreed to trade cornerback Shaun Wade to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick in 2022 and a fifth-round pick in 2023 (Twitter links via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). The seventh-rounder is originally a Texans pick, per ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley (on Twitter). The deal will free up space in the Ravens’ secondary while adding a once highly-touted prospect to the Pats’ unit. 
Wade was in the late first-round/early second-round conversation back in 2020. However, he chose to return to Ohio State for one more year. In hindsight, he probably regrets that decision. Wade had a rough season with the Buckeyes, including a disastrous performance in the national championship game. After DeVonta Smith went off for 12/215/3 at his expense, he tumbled all the way to the fifth-round of the 2021 draft.
It’s a low-risk move for the Patriots, who aren’t giving up much to acquire Wade and his modest contract. As the No. 160 overall pick, Wade is set to make less than $3.5MM over the next four years. This season, he’ll make just $660K in base salary with a $739K cap hit.
Wade will provide depth for the Patriots as they await word on Stephon Gilmore‘s status. He remains on the PUP list while also pushing for a better contract.
Gilmore hit the door?
To Saints
This Wade trade has zero impact on a potential Gilmore trade and at this point it doesn’t appear as if a Gilmore trade will even happen
Ummm how can you be so sure?
Its Shaun Wade. that’s how you can be so sure.
Shaun Wade will not play Gilmore’s position. Gilmore may be traded-I doubt it, but he may-but Wade’s arrival very likely does not affect him. Wade will probably play in the slot most of the time. He is not a boundary corner, and not not a lockdown number one who will trail a receiver. Belichick still wants that player, which right now is Gilmore.
Because this Wade deal was a zero risk move with basically no money involved
I’d love to see Gilmore stay, and I wish these players would honor their word by fulfilling the contract. Hell, I’d work for half of that!
I agree Dave! Lord knows a team would never threaten to cut a player unless he agreed to take less money than is stated on his current contract.
And most don’t get to chose where they work either. Unless they pull a Eli Manning. But a lot of guys don’t have that leverage
Good trade for Ravens. Essentially traded a 5th for a 5th and a 7th.
Is that a good trade for the Ravens? I admit I might value him too much. But he was lauded as a steal in the draft. He probably is a 3rd-4th round talent and to get back the 5th round and add a 7th round doesn’t seem like much for a steal. Late round drafting is hard (granted, if anyone can do it, it’s the Ravens).
Well his January schedule just became wide open.