The Patriots overhauled the roster this offseason, of course, spending more than any other team in the NFL to retool a team that was coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons but had a potential star quarterback–Drake Maye–on its hands. Free agency is never the preferred way to build a team in the NFL, but the Patriots had money and plenty of holes.
For the most part, they spent their money well, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where they added top defensive lineman Milton Williams and two new pass-rushers, K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry. Coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams came in with some familiarity with Landry–they’d coached him when all three were with the Titans.
Now, with the trade deadline approaching, there is a possibility that Vrabel could go back to the well of familiarity. That’s because one of the players who is believed to be on the market is another pass-rusher, and with New England lacking depth at that spot, a deal for Landry’s former running mate in Tennessee, veteran Arden Key, is one that should interest the Pats.
Patriots in Need of Defensive Depth
That’s the thinking from MassLive beat writer Mark Daniels, who outlined a sharp list of six players the Patriots could pursue at the trade deadline. While most observers have focused on the Patriots’ receiver room, Daniels has just two on the list, and one is mostly there for fun: former Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers, and (the fun one) Eagles star AJ Brown, who also played for Vrabel in Tennessee.
The Patriots’ receiver group has been very good, though, and the team really does not need more bodies there. What New England is depth, especially in the pass-rush, which has petered out some in recent weeks. The Patriots may be asking too much of Chaisson and Landry.
Key would help solve that problem.
Mike Vrabel Signed Arden Key in Tennessee
Here’s what Daniels wrote about Key, who has 1.5 sacks and is getting healthy after dealing with a quad injury:
“The Patriots have two stout edge rushers with Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson, but lack depth beyond that. Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, and Elijah Ponder have all dealt with injuries this season. The team could add someone like Key.
“The 29-year-old was in Tennessee with Vrabel and his Titans staff. That year, he finished with six sacks. Key would add better depth behind Landry and Chaisson.”
GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Patriots Could Add Depth at Low Cost
The Patriots are loath to give up draft picks for short-term gain, but at some point, they’ve got to take a win-now view and seek to upgrade while they can. They could get Arden, who is in the final year of a three-year, $21 million he signed to play for Vrabel, for a relatively cheap price of a Day 3 pick.
There’s no doubt that the rebuilding Titans would be willing to send Key elsewhere.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote this week: “The Titans are open to trading players who are in the last year of a contract and are not in the franchise’s long-term plans. Key fits that mold. And if pass-rush-hunting teams strike out on big names, Key is a serviceable alternative.”
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