The NFL trade deadline is November 3rd, which means that it’s time to get the rumor mill going.
Last season the Patriots made two moves prior to the trade deadline. They gave up a 2020 second-round draft pick for WR Mohamed Sanu, and they traded DE Michael Bennett to the Cowboys for a 2021 seventh-round pick.
The Patriots are 2-2, and have some glaring needs on the roster. To this point, it’s evident that the Patriots are most in need of an upgrade at wide receiver or at tight end. Now, the question is, which of these holes should be a priority for Bill Belichick?
Here are 4 guys that the Patriots should look to target:
1. TE Zach Ertz
The Eagles are off to a rough start in 2020. Carson Wentz has not looked good, and the Eagles offense has really struggled. Zach Ertz has arguably been the biggest disappointment on the team. Ertz only has 20 receptions on the season. Coming off a season in which Ertz hauled in 88 receptions and 6 touchdowns, the soon to be 30-year old tight end has not looked the same.
Some of that could be the constant double-teams and the lack of surrounding talent, but it could be tied to Ertz’s contract. After George Kittle and Travis Kelce received contract extensions, Ertz wanted a new deal in Philadelphia.
His current contract has a base salary of $6.6 million in 2020 and a a $8.25 million base salary in 2021. Ertz’s contract voids at the end of the 2021 season. Negotiations have not gone the best, and this has caused some friction between Ertz and the team.
“I’ve said all along I want to be here for the long run. I don’t know for sure if that feeling is mutual.”
If the Eagles continue to slide, could their be a scenario in which they look to move on from the three-time pro-bowler?
Bill Belichick and the Patriots would be a perfect fit for Zach Ertz. The tight end position has been arguably the weakest position on the team. Rookie Devin Asiasi has barely seen the field, and rookie Dalton Keene has yet to be active for a game. Ryan Izzo is primarily a blocker, and has proven to be a non-factor in the passing game.
Cam Newton and Greg Olsen proved to be a great tandem in Carolina, and Newton and Ertz in New England would resemble exactly that. The Patriots would have to give up a substantial amount of draft capital to land Ertz, but it would put the Patriots offense into a new stratosphere.
It would take pressure off of Julian Edelman and would instantly transform this Patriots team in a BIG way.
2. WR Golden Tate
The Giants are off to a rough start in 2020, as they are winless, and their offense looks hopeless. Through four games, Golden Tate has caught 18 passes on 23 targets. He’s been the number two receiver behind Darius Slaton. The 32-year old Tate could be someone that the Giants look to deal off, as they’ll likely have their eyes set on 2021 and beyond.
Tate is signed through 2022, and has a base salary of $7.97 million in 2020, $8.4 million in 2021 and $5.9 million in 2022. His contract is very affordable, and is someone that the Patriots should look at.
Julian Edelman is clearly hobbled, and the Patriots are in dire need of another veteran at wide receiver. Tate would bring toughness, durability, and depth for the Patriots receiving group. He’s proven to be a contributor in the playoffs, which is something that the Patriots lacked in 2019.
The Patriots and Tate had mutual interest when Tate was a free agent in 2019, but Tate ended up cashing in with the Giants. But, many speculated that Tate would end up in New England. Tate even liked the idea, and talked about the idea of him landing with the Patriots on the ProStyle Podcast.
“I would love it, I would love it, that organization, they have proven to be champions year in and year out. They work hard for sure, but you know where you’re going to be at the end of the season: you’re going to be not only looking at the playoffs, but you’re looking at maybe a first-round bye with this team. You gotta admire that organization, they do things right, they’ve been doing it for a long, long, long time.’’
Tate has played under two former members of the Bill Belichick coaching tree in Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.
3. WR Marvin Jones Jr.
The Lions are in a tough position, as they sit third in the NFC North with a 1-3 record. Matt Patricia will likely be replaced in Detroit, as the Lions look poised for another season without a winning record. If the Lions continue to fall out of contention, they could look to sell at the trade deadline. Marvin Jones Jr. is someone that the Lions could look to move.
The 30-year old Jones Jr. is in the final season of his contract, and would be a good fit with the Patriots. He has a base salary of $6.5 million this season, and the trade compensation should be relatively low. The Lions will likely be parting with Jones Jr. at the end of the season, as they seem to be more focused on keeping Kenny Golladay in Detroit long-term.
In four games, Jones only has 12 receptions on 19 targets. He’s had durability issues in Detroit, and it’s clear that a fresh start in a new setting would be beneficial for Jones Jr.
In recent years, the Patriots have struggled mightily in the red zone, and this season has been no different. But, Jones Jr. would give the Patriots some much needed help in that area. According to Pro Football Focus, in 2019, Marvin Jones Jr. led all wide receivers in contested red zone catches. Being productive in the red zone would go a long way for this Patriots team. At 6-2, Jones Jr. would be the second biggest receiver on the team.
If Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia (both former Patriots) look to move Jones Jr., I would be shocked if the Patriots were not involved.
4. TE Gerald Everett
The Rams are in a position in which they may be forced to deal off some parts, due to their complicated cap situation. In 2021, 50% of the Rams cap space will be allocated to Jared Goff, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Todd Gurley. On top of that, the Rams also extended Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp to expensive contracts. The Rams even extended TE Tyler Higbee to a four-year extension last season.
With the Rams being married to Higbee at tight end, Gerald Everett could become expendable. Everett is in the final season of his rookie contract, and will surely be coveted in the offseason.
Everett was drafted in the second-round of the 2017 draft, and has not been able to put it all together in Los Angeles. However, last season, Everett looked poised to breakout. But, a wrist injury ended his season, after 13 games. None-the-less, Everett still brought in 37 catches for over 400 receiving yards.
Everett’s best attribute is his pass-catching ability, and it would make a lot of sense for the Patriots to upgrade at tight end. The Patriots likely would not have to give up much to get him, which would be appealing to Bill Belichick.
The Patriots could buy-low on Everett, and could unleash a great deal of upside.
[…] The trade deadline is looming and still, the Patriots have space to absorb a fairly substantial contract if they decide to bring someone in. Our own Jason Pombo talked about a few different players the Patriots could be interested in. […]