The New England Patriots came back down to earth in Week 8 after losing to the Miami Dolphins 31-17. They were unable to build off of the momentum from their massive Week 7 upset over the Buffalo Bills, dropping their record to 2-6 on the season.
Conventional wisdom would have you believe the Patriots will be sellers ahead of the deadline this afternoon. At 2-6, the playoffs don’t seem like a realistic expectation. But, New England has given no indication that they will be looking to trade veterans away.
This trade deadline could provide the Patriots a chance to start building up their foundation again for the future. With Bill Belichick having signed an extension over the offseason, it doesn’t sound like he will be going anywhere, so expect him to continue doing what he can to win games.
If that is the route the team takes, they will be looking for upgrades ahead of the deadline. If that is the case, Tyler Maher of Chowder & Champions on FanSided has suggested some trades the team should look to make, with acquiring a No. 1 receiver being the No. 1 need.
Mac Jones hasn’t played well this season, which he is partly to blame for. But, the Patriots should also shoulder some of that blame because they haven’t surrounded him with the best talent.
With Kendrick Bourne suffering a torn ACL, the supporting cast around Jones is even weaker. Finding a bonafide No. 1 receiver ahead of the deadline isn’t easy, but the Patriots should at least seek out a replacement for Bourne.
Another issue with the offense has been in the trenches. Getting the offensive line back on track would certainly help the entire unit get going. Finding good offensive linemen who are available at the deadline isn’t easy as teams know how much of a hot commodity they are.
Finding a tackle to anchor the unit would be ideal. Easier said than done, but any upgrades across the offensive line would be good. Last but not least, adding an impact defender would be ideal for New England.
Right now two of their best players, Matt Judon and Christian Gonzalez, are sidelined. Even when healthy, this group could use a little more of a boost. If the Patriots are willing to pay the price, someone such as Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers would be a target in Maher’s opinion.
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