Five potential pre-free agency trades for the Patriots

Author Alex Barth

February 22nd, 2021 1:34 PM

Most years, the Patriots aren’t very active in the pre-free agency trade market. If they make a deal in early March, it’s usually a minor one.

Of course, 2021 isn’t most years for a team that’s used to playing into February. Coming off their first sub-.500 finish in two decades, and with a seeming lack of direction on offense, the Patriots will need to be aggressive if they want to be competitive again quickly.

OverTheCap.com projects 13 teams to begin the offseason with negative cap space, so there will be some players available that traditionally might seem untouchable. There are also a number of teams in the process of overhauling their rosters. Where could Bill Belichick look to take advantage? Here’s some ideas.

• 15th overall pick for Michael Thomas (Saints)

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  Appearing on NBC Sports Boston last month, Albert Breer suggested that Saints star receiver Michael Thomas could be had for the price of a second or third round pick. That price is probably a bit low, but it’s not as unrealistic as you’d think. New Orleans is projected to be a whopping $80 million under the salary cap, and will need to take extreme measures to right their roster. Similar to the Brandin Cooks trade from a few years ago, the Patriots could potentially take advantage of a cash-strapped team, and buy low on a talented wide receiver - which they desperately need.

• Stephon Gilmore for the 29th overall pick (Packers)

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  Perhaps the most successful trade in the NFL in the last 10 years was last season’s Stefon Diggs trade, which saw the Vikings move an experienced player in order to open up cap space, and get younger at the position without a massive talent drop off. Could the Patriots do the same thing with Stephon Gilmore, who needs a new contract? As was made painfully obvious in the NFC Championship Game, the Packers need to get star cornerback Jaire Alexander a running mate on the other side of the formation, so they could be a likely trade partner. Send Gilmore to Green Bay, who can use him to capitalize on Aaron Rodgers’ closing window, and use the 29th pick to add a younger corner (Asante Samuel Jr.?) with four years of team control.

• 2nd and 5th round pick for Michael Gallup (Cowboys)

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  If the Patriots don’t want to surrender their first round pick, but still want to pick up an proven NFL wide receiver, they could go after Michael Gallup in Dallas. Gallup has been a solid weapon for the Cowboys, but is entering the last year of his rookie contract. Between the deal they just gave Amari Cooper, and the one likely coming for Dak Prescott, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to re-sign Gallup, and could look to trade him instead of losing him for nothing. Because he’s only on a one-year deal, the price shouldn’t be too high.
• 4th round pick for Zach Ertz and a 6th (Eagles)

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  The Patriots don’t just need a tight end, they need an NFL-ready tight end. Unless they’re willing to invest heavily in Kyle Pitts, there’s a real chance anybody they draft has a rookie season similar to that of Devin Asiasi or Dalton Keene. So what’s the solution? Go out and get a guy who’s proven he can play in the league. Ertz was banged up in 2020, but is just a year removed from an 88 catch, 916 yard, six touchdown season. There’s a chance Philly just releases him, but selling him on signing in New England as a free agent could be tough. His contract is manageable (one year remaining with a $12 million cap hit), making it worth a Day 3 pick to make sure they get him in the building.

• 5th round pick for Marcus Mariota (Raiders)

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  Whether the Patriots draft a quarterback or not, they need a veteran presence in the QB room. If they use a first round pick on a quarterback, Mariota would be as good of a bridge option as they’ll find, who can run the offense until that player is ready. And if they want to wait another year, he does offer some upside, while bringing many of the dynamic elements the team got from Cam Newton last year. The former second overall pick is in the last year of his deal, with a cap hit of just $11 million.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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