For the Patriots, the thrill of beating the Bills in Week 5 in Buffalo was tempered by the loss of running back Antonio Gibson to a knee injury. It was clear the injury was a rough one when Gibson was being helped off the field with tears in his eyes, and that was confirmed on Monday when tests showed that Gibson had torn his ACL.
The Patriots have some time to digest that news, and considering their next three opponents are a combined 3-12, there is no hurry when it comes to replacing Gibson. It’s possible that Terrell Jennings could be elevated from the practice squad and that in itself might be enough to replace Gibson, though he will be missed in the return game, too.
But there are a couple of facts that can be taken from the Bills win. For one thing, the Patriots have a problem at RB, where the team wants Rhamondre Stevenson to be The Guy, but he has now fumbled 10 times in the last 22 games. For another thing, this team can be a strong playoff contender in the AFC.
When it comes to replacing Gibson, then, the Patriots could think much bigger than elevating Jennings. They should be thinking trade. And not just a little trade.
The Patriots could and should delve into the trade market in search of a big-time back. So who’s a possibility?
Rico Dowdle, Panthers
All Rico Dowdle does is produce. He did it when given a chance in Dallas in 2024 (1,328 yards from scrimmage), and he is doing it again in Carolina, where he totaled 206 yards on 23 carries against Miami in Week 5. Dowdle is a bargain at $1.2 million, and he was Chuba Hubbard’s backup until Hubbard sat out on Sunday.
Bleacher Report tabbed Dowdle as the No. 7 trade candidate on its big board before his outburst vs. the Dolphins, and at 2-3, the Panthers likely would need to play out a few more weeks before they decide to sell pieces at the November 4 deadline. But Dowdle would be an ideal do-it-all back in that room for the Patriots.
Breece Hall, Jets
The injury to Braelon Allen (who is on the IR) probably reduces the chances the Jets move on from Breece Hall, but the former second-round pick is a free agent after this season and there’s little chance the Jets want to give him a long-term deal, with a market value of four years and $32.5 million, according to Spotrac.
The Patriots won’t want to pay him that, either, but they won’t need to. All they’d need is for Hall to give him the steady production he has given a terrible Jets team over the years. This season, he has given the Jets 501 yards from scrimmage in five games. For an 0-5 bunch that needs to collect draft assets, cashing out on Hall would make sense–and would greatly help the Pats.
Jerome Ford, Browns
With the quick rise of rookie Quinshon Judkins in Cleveland, Jerome Ford appears to be expendable. Both the Boston Herald and NBC Sports Boston tabbed him as a potential Patriots target this week.
Here’s how NBC broke down a Ford possibility: “Ford, who’s been limited to 27 percent and 37 percent of offensive snaps the last two weeks, is sandwiched between Judkins and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson. (Ford is) on an expiring contract on a team that won’t be competing in the postseason. He’s capable as a runner (4.3 yards per carry on 334 career attempts) and pass-catcher (81 receptions during the 2023 and 2024 campaigns).”
Alvin Kamara, Saints
Kamara has been with the Saints for nine years now, and has refuted suggestions that he will seek a trade out of a bad situation in New Orleans. He is 30 years old and not the same guy he was when he went to five straight Pro Bowls to start his career, but Kamara is the kind of smart, versatile and reliable (13 fumbles in 120 games) back the Patriots could use in their room.
This week, Mike Ginnitti of Spotrac pegged Kamara as a to trade target before the deadline. He would suit New England’s needs well.
Speaking on “The Spotrac Podcast,” Ginnitti said: “The Saints just are a sinking ship and that’s just fine for what they’ve had to become financially and certainly from a roster standpoint. Alvin Kamara doesn’t belong on that ship anymore. He’s too talented, even at his age, even with his workload and his history. He’s too talented and fun to be on this team for 17 weeks. I do think … this is going to be one of those guys who you are going to want to drop in on Week 8 and say, ‘Let’s do this.’”
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