We are three weeks away from the NFL trade deadline, which means we’re going to see an overwhelming number of articles and posts proposing that the Patriots make a trade for some star wide receiver or other. And while good weapons are always welcome, those who watch the team consistently know that wide receiver is not really this team’s hole.
A healthy group of Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and, now, Pop Douglas, has done just fine. At 78.2 on the Pro Football Focus grading scale, the Patriots receivers rate No. 6 in the NFL with a grade of 78.2. We’re still waiting to see what rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism can do behind that trio.
There are far greater needs on this roster, and credit to MassLive beat reporter Karen Guregian for recognizing that in identifying Patriots “5 potential trade targets” in an article on Tuesday. Sure, she includes Saints receiver Chris Olave, but she recognizes that the Patriots have greater needs.
To wit, they should not have confidence in Alex Austin as a backup corner, the team’s improved pass rush still needs more help and there is no depth at tight end.
It’s the target she closes out with, though, who could be the best get the Patriots could find at the deadline.
Patriots Trade for Running Back Makes Sense
That would be Jets running back Breece Hall. The MCL injury to Braelon Allen, who might miss the rest of the season, probably reduces the chances the Jets move on from Hall, but the team’s 0-6 record probably means they should cash in all the chips they can.
Hall is a former second-round pick and 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 probably would not give that to Hall, either, but he could offer some short-term help for the team’s struggling ground game.
Antonio Gibson is out with a torn ACL, and the Patriots duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson share a dubious distinction. At Pro Football Focus, Stevenson ranks 47th out of 48 running backs in the league, and Henderson is 48th out of 48, with a grade of 52.6. The run game tallied just 73 yards on 31 carries on Sunday vs. the Saints.
GettyNew England Patriots RB Rhamondre Steveson
Breece Hall Trade to Patriots Would Bolster Weak Spot
Guregian writes of Hall, “Hall, as well as several other notable Jets, could be on the block given the team’s 0-6 start. Whether it’s via trade, someone off the street, the Patriots need help in the run game.”
As bad as the Jets have been, Hall is a highlight–410 yards rushing on 88 carries, an average of 4.7 yards per carry. That comes despite the fact that the rest of the Jets offense has been poor, and defenses can pretty much focus on stopping the run.
Patriots Ready to Gamble on a Trade?
It will depend on the cost for Hall, and there could be other teams that are willing to give up more than the Patriots. That is going to be true of any roster upgrades the Pats make in the coming weeks.
Vrabel is protective of the team’s future draft picks, understanding that this roster will need depth going forward, and knowing that drafting young pieces to fill those spots is the most efficient means of bulking up the roster. But RBs are cheap, and the cost is not likely to be prohibitive.
Besides, the Patriots are 4-2, leading the AFC East in a wide-open conference at this point. They could be not only a playoff team, but a team with the potential to make a deep run. They’ll need more help to do that, though.
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