3 Potential Trade Targets for the New England Patriots

WHENEVER a team loses a franchise quarterback, it inevitably struggles to maintain its cohesion, if only to an extent. The New England Patriots are no exception; they’re still trying to recover from Tom Brady’s departure. New England dominated the AFC East for almost two decades but hasn’t taken first place in the division since Brady left.

Bill Belichick has been working hard not just to hold New England together but strengthen the team. In a sense, he’s rebuilding it. Like every sports franchise, football or otherwise, the New England Patriots need a clear identity. Forging and maintaining such an identity is going to be essential if they want to make the coming playoffs after having missed out on the last ones – and it is especially important if the Patriots are to remain a threat on the field over the long term.

The Patriots need to make some improvements, starting on the defensive side of the ball. Their offense could be sharper, too, though – and to that end, they would benefit from an elite receiver. While they picked up some potentially strong players in the last draft, the question is always open as to whether they will pursue anybody else through trades. I believe they should. There are some interesting players (both offensive and defensive) available on the market who could help New England become a powerhouse again, but whether or not they can actually obtain them is another matter. They have to be able and willing to pay.

Three Potential Trade Targets for the New England Patriots

For trade targets on the defensive side, I would like to see New England go after Chase Young and Devin White. For their offense, I think Jerry Jeudy would make a fine addition. Under Belichick’s leadership, any and all of these players could become excellent assets to the Patriots.

Chase Young – Defensive End, Washington Commanders

The Commanders chose not to pick up defensive end Chase Young’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, which could indicate that they are willing to trade him (though I doubt many Commanders fans want to see him go). And while the fact that he wasn’t dealt before or during the draft could mean that he’ll be playing at least one more season with the Commanders, if they do offload him and the Patriots pick him up, Young will probably make a great addition to their defense.

Commanders DE Chase Young (99) – Nick Wass/AP

Young is a strong player. He’s had his ups and downs, of course – racking up 7.5 sacks in his rookie campaign and winning 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, but then getting only 1.5 sacks over nine games before tearing his ACL and playing in only three games last season – but under Belichick, he could really come into his own. If the Patriots want to add some more solidity to their defense, Young would be an excellent trade option. If Bill Belichick can work his magic on Young, he’ll probably turn him into a strong number two pass-rushing option behind Matthew Judon, which would make the Patriots’ front seven into a very fierce unit.

Of course, this is all contingent upon whether or not the Commanders actually decide to trade Young and whether New England wants to give them what they want for him (he’s likely to be expensive). But, if things fall into place for the Patriots, Young could turn out to be an invaluable asset to them and a player who will stay with them for the long haul.

Devin White – Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

New England could use another good linebacker, too, and if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to part with Devin White, he would be a sound choice for the Patriots. Again, though: this player is going to cost, and the Patriots must be able and willing to pay for him. White requested a trade this offseason, and if he ends up with the Patriots, it could turn out to be a match made in heaven.

Buccaneers LB Devin White (45) – Alex Menendez/AP

White had a good year in 2020, and while he hasn’t necessarily been as productive following up his breakout campaign, he seems to have a lot of potential. Big, fast, and a relentless tackler, White can easily be made into a great compliment to Marte Mapu (just nabbed by the Pats in the third round of this year’s draft) by the team’s experienced coaching staff. Under the right conditions, White could even turn out to be a foundational piece around which the whole Patriots’ defense is structured.

Jerry Jeudy – Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos

Having Jerry Jeudy on this list may surprise some Patriots fans. Compared to the two targets discussed above, Jeudy is kind of low-profile. But I would like to see New England trade for him if they can. Here again, my reasoning is based largely on the team-building abilities of Bill Belichick, under whose leadership Jeudy could become an integral member of the Patriots offense. Jeudy is entering the final year of his rookie deal and if the Broncos decide to trade him, he shouldn’t be too expensive. New England would probably be able to snag him in what might turn out to be a very worthwhile deal.

Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (10) – Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Jeudy’s track record might not shine like those of the ‘fantasy’ trade targets who garner most fans’ attention, but it certainly isn’t bad: the 24-year-old receiver ended a career year with a poorly-performing Broncos offense, finishing with 67 catches for 972 yards and six touchdowns. Imagine what he can do on a thriving Patriots offense. Jeudy can adapt to Mac Jones and even the franchise as a whole. Whether he’ll ever become an elite receiver is a question that cannot be answered here, but I do think he has a lot of untapped potential. He just needs to be with the right team in order to reach it.

The Bottom Line

The rationale behind these trade suggestions comes not so much from what the players have done with their current team but rather from what I believe they can do with the Patriots if they can be fitted into the mold New England’s leadership is currently trying to carve out. Bill Belichick is one of the best managers in NFL history; some say he is the best. New England employs other capable coaches as well. In their effort to reassert New England’s dominance over the AFC East, Belichick and his staff need to instill a new, clearly-defined identity into this team. It’s not going to happen overnight, but it will definitely happen if the Patriots retain their current leadership.

First and foremost, the Patriots need to shore up their defense. Then, they need to sharpen up their offense. Like Tom Brady, Devin McCourty has left the team (retired), and he was their most important defensive player. Kyle Dugger does a good job of keeping everyone in the secondary on the same page, but the team needs more muscle on that side of the ball. Picking up Marte Mapu was a good idea, but they should still be keeping their eyes open for another tough linebacker or defensive end. Plus, they’d do well to sign another receiver who can play in tandem with Mac Jones.

The bottom line? If it becomes possible and practical to do so, the New England Patriots need to target Chase Young, Devin White, and Jerry Jeudy for trades.