We heard earlier this week that the Patriots were “willing to listen to offers” leading up to the trade deadline. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, New England’s front office may be the side that is initiating trade talks.
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The Patriots are “sniffing around” to see what draft compensation they could get for some of their logical trade candidates. Breer points to offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, safety Kyle Dugger, and defensive end Josh Uche as players who could be on the trade block. All three players are impending free agents, and despite possessing a chunk of 2024 cap space, the organization may want to move on from players they may not re-sign.
Breer opines that Uche is the player who’s most likely to be traded since he’d “probably be the most difficult of the group to re-sign.” The former second-round pick has followed up his 11.5-sack 2022 campaign by collecting six tackles and two sacks in six games this year. While his numbers this season are underwhelming, his pass-rushing ability means the Patriots would still be able to bring back a worthwhile return in a trade. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler agrees that Uche is a name “worth watching,” noting that the pass-rusher has garnered trade interest around the NFL. Likewise, based on his conversations with multiple teams, Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal believes Uche has the best chance of any current Patriot to be dealt.
On the flip side, Breer thinks Onwenu is the least likely of the group to be traded. The Patriots will use the rest of the 2023 campaign to evaluate Mac Jones, and Breer can’t envision the organization hurting the QB’s chances by subtracting from the offense. Following that same logic, Breer also doesn’t see wide receiver Kendrick Bourne getting traded, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com does not think New England will part with any top talent unless it receives at least a third-round pick in return. Of course, if another club were willing to take on an onerous contract (JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker) as part of a deal for a player like Uche, the Pats would certainly listen.
Breer adds one more name to the list of potential trade candidates: Jalen Mills. The defensive back has served in a variety of roles with the Patriots since joining the organization in 2021. Mills got through two years of his four-year, $24MM deal before getting cut back in March, but he quickly rejoined the Patriots on a new pact. While the Patriots have dealt with a number of injuries in their secondary, Mills has only seen time in 26 percent of New England’s defensive snaps this season.
Bill prides himself in being a great evaluator of talent, so he won’t trade high draft choices.
Dumping players for picks is smart if Bill wants to make sure he has the best chance to get a QB.
Pats looking for outlaw tough guys like RHarrison or BMerriweather that might have worn out their welcome elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that strategy…
Gotta think McDaniels and Belichick can work something out if a passer rusher is part of the deal.
Thornton the twig should on that list and Anderson,Lowe, Godchaux ,Juju and Wade if they can get anything for BB’s garbage
Dallas needs a big back. Trade Zeke to Dallas for late round pick
They didn’t even want him as a fa when they were already in desperate need for one it seems like there’s bad blood between them right now
I don’t think they realized how much they would miss him. Particularly in the red zone
First class ass sniffers are sniffing around according to another first class ass sniffer in Breer. Thanks for the news Al
Breer’s sources are his imaginary friends.
Imaginary friends don’t hit you up for a loan or hit on your wife. They’re pretty easy to get along with…but I could just be imagining all that.