10 potential trade targets for the Patriots at running back

Author Matt Dolloff

September 29th, 2021 5:45 PM

The Patriots just lost by far their most reliable pass-catching running back, so they may have to look into potential targets at the trade deadline.

James White is out for the rest of the season with what’s being reported as a hip subluxation, a massive blow to the Pats offense as rookie quarterback Mac Jones loses one of his top safety valves. The Patriots may be able to replace his production internally or with a new addition, but it’ll be virtually impossible to replace White’s mix of dependability and leadership on and off the field. If J.J. Taylor isn’t ready to assume the kind of role White played as a receiver, runner, and pass protector on third downs, they may have to look elsewhere.

One possible name has conveniently come up in the wake of White’s injury: the Indianapolis Colts and Marlon Mack have mutually agreed to seek a trade partner, according to

One reason Colts’ RB Marlon Mack didn't play Sunday is because, per league sources, the team is considering trading him. Mack's on a one-year deal, he's healthy and still can be productive.

It’s unlikely that Mack, who has gotten only five touches so far in 2021, would be expensive in a trade, and he may not make much of an impact wherever he lands. But in New England, he’d certainly have opportunities to contribute in the passing game in White’s absence.

The Patriots don’t appear ready to hand a major passing game role over to Taylor, or put rookie Rhamondre Stevenson on the field in the first place. And it would be less than ideal to just continue rolling out Brandon Bolden. So perhaps they poke around the league and try to add someone with proven ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

Some of these options are more realistic than others. But production, fit, and familiarity (with both players and trade partners) are among the criteria we considered. Plus, they are all in the final year or two of their contracts. Anyway, here are some possible trade targets for the Patriots to add a pass-catching running back…

• Phillip Lindsay, Texans

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  Who would make a better trade partner for Bill Belichick than Nick Caserio? The Texans GM likely isn't in a hurry to jettison Lindsay, whom he signed in his first offseason in Houston in the first place. But the circumstances could be much different around the trade deadline, so this is worth monitoring.
  
  Lindsay comes with a very manageable $3 million cap hit and began his career with two straight seasons of 35 catches. Mark Ingram has both more carries and targets than Lindsay so far in 2021, and the latter could replicate some of what White did in the passing game, with perhaps even more shiftiness in the open field.

• J.D. McKissic, Football Team

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  The tough part about McKissic is he might cost something in terms of trade capital. It's certainly not ideal to give up anything more than a day-3 draft pick for a running back in the middle of the season. But if the Patriots want an immediate impact from a pass-catching back, and from a plausible trade target, McKissic makes a lot of sense.
  
  Just last season, McKissic caught 80 passes, second at his position behind only Alvin Kamara. The production hasn't been there so far in 2021, with only seven catches through three games, as Washington has de-emphasized backs in their passing game and Antonio Gibson has become their bell cow. So McKissic, who is on track for free agency in 2022, could become expendable.

• Miles Sanders, Eagles

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  Sanders said before the 2019 draft that he met with the Patriots. He fit their profile as a versatile back who can be an asset as a receiver. He caught 50 passes as a rookie and entered 2020 with a lot of hype, but his production dropped off (28 catches) as Carson Wentz had the worst season of his career.
  
  Sanders leads Eagles running backs in offensive snaps (121) targets (11) through three games, so they're obviously still trying to make him a factor. But they also just drafted Kenneth Gainwell (great name for a running back) out of Memphis, and still have Boston Scott. Sanders is under team control through 2022, which may make him an attractive trade piece for the Patriots, since White's future is now uncertain. He might be a long-shot to actually get traded, but he's someone you could picture Belichick calling about ahead of the deadline.
• Chase Edmonds, Cardinals

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  Couple slight problems with this one: the Cardinals are 3-0 and Edmonds leads the team in total touches (47). So of all the names on this list, Edmonds is perhaps the biggest pipe dream. But hey, we're having fun here, calm down, it's sports.
  
  That said, Belichick would certainly love Edmonds' production as a pass-catcher (5.3 catches per game, 4.4 yards per carry), efficiency (16 of 17 targets caught) and versatility (31 carries, 16 catches). Not terribly likely that he gets moved anywhere, but he could help the Patriots in a number of ways.

• Melvin Gordon, Broncos

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  The main problem with Gordon is the money. He'd cost about $3.5 million (~$4.5M against the cap) if acquired at the trade deadline. Cap space could certainly be maneuvered in a number of different ways, but it wouldn't exactly be the best bang for the proverbial buck. Also, The Broncos are 3-0 and probably not looking to ship out a talented player.
  
  That being said, Gordon can still produce as both a runner (4.6 yards per carry in 2021) and receiver (12.7 yards per catch) and the Broncos appear poised to transition to rookie Javonte Williams at some point. Among all the backs the Patriots could acquire, Gordon has the highest pedigree.

• Corey Clement, Cowboys

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  Clement is best known in New England for his big game for the Eagles against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, when he caught four passes for 100 yards and a touchdown (sorry to bring that up). Now in Dallas, Clement has been active for all three games but has carried the ball just three times, for a grand total of zero (0) yards.
  
  Seems like a perfect Change of Scenery™ situation. Clement hasn't caught more than five passes since 2018, so it's fair to wonder how much he can really give an NFL roster at this point. But for a back-needy team seeking an experienced pass-catcher, Clement could come ridiculously cheaply and deliver decent ROI with the opportunity.
• Tarik Cohen, Bears

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  Cohen is on the PUP list as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, so he's out through at least the first six weeks of the season. Should he be fully healthy and ready to return in Week 7, that's the earliest he'd be traded. He's signed through 2023, but has an out after 2022, and he'd likely cost the lowest possible price.
  
  Perfect time for Belichick to pounce! Cohen's catch totals rose from 53 to 71 to 79 in his first three seasons, so the big passing game potential is there. He also has experience returning both kicks and punts. It's tough that he's a damaged good right now, but could become a valuable piece for the Patriots or any other team seeking a similar player.

• Ty Montgomery, Saints

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  A converted wide receiver, Montgomery has bounced around the league, going from Green Bay to Baltimore to New York to New Orleans. He's barely played in 2021, with only 43 offensive snaps in three games (25.8 percent). He played 13 snaps against the Patriots on Sunday and got zero touches.
  
  But wouldn't Montgomery be a perfect kind of Belichick addition? He'd cost next-to-nothing, has played multiple offensive positions, and in his career has caught 73.1 percent of his targets. He'd be a long-shot to make a real impact on the passing game, but he'd be solid depth.

• Jamaal Williams, Lions

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  Williams has never been the most prolific back, but as a pass-catcher, he's been remarkably consistent. He caught between 25 and 39 passes and amassed between 210 and 262 yards in the passing game over his first four seasons with the Packers. In his first three games with the Lions, Williams has already caught 13 of 14 targets - that's a 74-catch pace (in a 17-game season).
  
  Williams is also under team control for 2022. If the Lions are out of it by the trade deadline, perhaps they consider grabbing a draft pick for him. He'd be a solid plug-and-play option for the Pats as a third-down back.

MORE: Free-Agent running backs for the Patriots

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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Author Matt Dolloff

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