The New England Patriots are at the bottom of the NFL standings coming out of Week 6 with the direction of the season pointing towards a lost year. With long-term changes already under consideration, the Patriots reportedly could be sellers at the NFL trade deadline.
New England looked relatively competed to open the regular season. A late rally fell short in a 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Patriots’ offense had a shot to tie the game in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins. After beating the New York Jets in Week 3, it appeared as if the team would at least be in the mix for a .500 record this season.
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Instead, the Patriots have spiraled out of control. After combining to score just one offensive touchdown from Weeks 3-5, New England lost to the Las Vegas Raiders this past Sunday. With the defeat, there’s now an increasing possibility of the team trading off contributing players for draft picks at the NFL trade deadline.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Patriots could now be sellers at the trade deadline after losing in Week 6. Among the players who could be made available are wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and edge rusher Josh Uche.
Bourne, age 28, is New England’s leading receiver this season. He’s been a go-to target for Patriots’ quarterbacks, drawing 44 targets and turning them into 28 receptions for 307 receiving yards. For context, Hunter Henry is second on the team with 18 receptions for 183 receiving yards on 28 targets.
However, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the season and there remains a possibility of a new coaching staff or general manager taking over in 2024. Given New England likely wouldn’t receive a compensatory pick for someone signing Bourne, the only way to get something in return for him is trading him now.
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As for Uche, the 5-foot-3 edge rusher has been asked to step into a much larger and more difficult role than ever before. With Matthew Judon sidelined and the Patriots’ starting cornerbacks injured, it’s become far more difficult for Uche to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Still, he is credited with 17 pressures and three sacks.
Uche’s trade value would be diminished slightly by the fact that he’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. With NFL teams always looking for more depth and additional edge rushers, though, New England could get a quality return for him.
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While Jones didn’t specifically mention other potential players the Patriots could shop, veterans like running back Ezekiel Elliott, tight end Mike Gesicki and cornerback Jalen Mills will likely be some of the contributors NFL teams inquire about.