5 Patriots who could be dealt before the NFL trade deadline

Patriots

Patriots veterans like Jonathan Jones and Kendrick Bourne could be attractive trade targets for contending teams.

The Patriots dropped from their defense earlier this week, sending shortstop Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

But with New England currently 2-6 on the season — and with a lengthy rebuild ahead of them — Eliot Wolf and the rest of the Patriots’ front office could be looking to move even more assets before the NFL’s November trade deadline. 5.

While a Patriots roster devoid of top-end talent may not benefit from the team’s first-, second-, or even third-round picks as compensation, Wolf and his staff could stock their draft cupboard if they choose to listen to offers for several other people. vets on this team.

Here’s a look at five Patriots players who could be dealt before Tuesday.

WR Kendrick Bourne

Kendrick Bourne has already heard his name come up in trade rumors several times this year — either in the summer, during Brandon Aiyuk Lottery or even at the beginning of this month in several rumors surrounding the 49ers.

The elder statesman of New England’s receiving room, Bourne, 29, established himself as a reliable pass-catcher during his tenure with the Patriots.

Bourne had 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns in just eight games last season before suffering a torn ACL in a road game against the Dolphins.

He’s been slow out of the gate this season as he works his way back from that knee injury (four catches, 29 yards in four games), but Bourne is a solid receiver who should be coveted by several teams that they need step-capchers.

Any team that acquires Bourne would also have some security, as Bourne signed a three-year contract worth up to $33 million last offseason.

Ultimately, any deal involving Bourne will revolve around how high the Patriots could get in the draft, as well as whether the team is comfortable taking a veteran out of a very young receiver room.

DT Davon Godchaux

Another Patriots regular who has seen his name come up in trade rumors involving the 49ers, Davon Godchaux was one of the few bright spots in New England’s underwhelming 2024 defense.

The 29-year-old nose tackle has been a consistent run stopper for years in New England, routinely clearing gaps and running lanes from the line of scrimmage.

Godchaux, who signed a two-year contract extension worth up to $21 million earlier this year, could be an enticing fit for a San Francisco roster playing without DT Javon Hargrave (torn triceps).

Godchaux walked away from trade talks earlier this week.

“Yes, I was shocked, but at the end of the day, this is a business.” Godchaux told Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald after New England’s 25-22 win over the Jets. “I mean, (expletive) happens all the time. I’m sure some guys think they could be on the team for a long time and something happens. That’s the NFL business. That’s what we signed up for.”

Even though Godchaux’s production and contract could make him a top option on the trade market, New England would also get another respected veteran out of the locker room — and further hamper a run defense that has given up 150 rushing yards in three of the last four games. .

CB Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Jones is in the same boat as players like Godchaux and Bourne. The veteran corner has the winning pedigree (two Super Bowl titles) and speed that many contenders would like to add to the secondary before the trade deadline.

But would the return be enough for a Patriots team that also values ​​the leadership Jones provides in a very young and still malleable defense?

Again, it could come down to exactly what type of draft compensation the Patriots are looking for with a player like Jones, who has recorded three passes defensed and 28 tackles in eight games this season.

A defensively troubled team looking to hoist the Lombardi Trophy like the Ravens makes a lot of sense for a tenacious corner like Jones, who can play both in the slot and on the outside.

But is moving Jones worth it for New England if all he gets is another fifth- or sixth-round pick? It’s something that Wolf and Co. they will have to think about it in the next few days.

WR KJ Osborn

This one seems very obvious, especially after KJ Osborn already addressed the trade rumors revolving around him last week.

Despite averaging 52.7 receptions, 615 receiving yards and five touchdowns per season over his last three years with the Vikings, Osborn failed to make a significant impact with New England, recording just seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.

With rookie Javon Baker likely to have a bigger role, the Patriots could opt to give Osborn a fresh start elsewhere while making room in the wide receiver room.

WR Tyquan Thornton

Like Osborn, the Patriots might just want to cut bait at this point with Thornton, especially if they create more roster room to either elevate younger players or add talent at the deadline.

Despite Tyquan Thornton’s speed and great draft pedigree (the 50th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft), he hasn’t been able to put it together with the Patriots.

While the TCU product’s straight-line acceleration would seemingly make him an attractive target for a QB with a strong arm like Drake Maye, he caught just four passes for 47 yards in 2024 — leaving Maye darting during the win on Sunday over the Jets.

New England has He reportedly left Thornton in trade talks for over a monththough it remains unlikely that the Patriots will land a premium draft pick on a player who has failed to post impressive stat lines in his three seasons in Foxborough.

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Conor Ryan is a writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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