NFL Expert Reveals New England Patriots Trade Deadline Strategy: Sellers?
With the NFL's trade deadline less than a week away, the New England Patriots have a decision to make. Do they stand pat and try to salvage the season, or sell off assets to try and look to the future?
With a 2-5 record and the playoffs looking like a long shot, the Patriots seem to be leaning toward the latter option. Team sources told Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald that the Patriots are willing to listen to offers for some of their top players before Tuesday's deadline.
“Given where we are, if I’m another team, I’d be calling on the availability of all of our upcoming free agents,” a source told Kyed.
With the team's stance known, the question shifts to which players could be on the move. The most logical candidates would be players who are in the final year of their deals, and in that group, there are some notable targets.
Patriots linebacker Josh Uche
cred: USA Today Sports
The player who Kyed describes as the "most logical trade candidate" is fourth-year linebacker Josh Uche. The former second-round pick is in the final year of his rookie deal, and with 11.5 sacks last season, could fetch a solid return if the Patriots were to trade him. Uche and the Patriots reportedly haven't had extension talks recently, which could indicate that he's on the trade block.
Uche's fellow 2020 draftees, safety Kyle Dugger and offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, may be logical trade candidates as well. Both players are also in the final years of their rookie deals and could net high draft picks as well, Dugger especially. It is worth noting that even if the Patriots can't come to long-term deals, all three players mentioned are possible candidates for the franchise tag this offseason.
Some other players Kyed named as trade candidates include receiver Kendrick Bourne, tight end Mike Gesicki, safety Jalen Mills and even quarterback Mac Jones. All of these players have varying degrees of likelihood, although Bourne and Gesicki have both appeared in rumors lately.
One thing's for sure, though. The Patriots' actions at the deadline will tell a lot about their direction for the future.
