The Patriots are in one of the toughest spots they’ve been in, in well over two decades. Sitting at 2-5, while they prepare for the Miami Dolphins, the next week or so may be a difficult one. The NFL trade deadline is October 31st and it’s time to make decisions on the future of this team. Multiple key players are pending free agents and the team needs to look at getting value back via trade if they don’t plan to extend them. Let’s take a look at three deadline moves for the Patriots.
1. Trade Josh Uche
Embed from Getty Images- Falcons receive: OLB Josh Uche & 2024 6th-round pick
- Patriots receive: Falcons 2024 3rd round pick
This move is a no-brainer, in my opinion. Josh Uche is a pending free agent, looking for a bigger opportunity and, most importantly, a new contract. It’s clear that in New England, Uche’s role is nothing more than a situational pass rusher as he’s played over 40% of snaps once this season.
Uche flashed over the second half of the 2022 season, piling up 11.5 sacks over the final 10 games. The edge rusher currently has two sacks over his first six games this season. The best path moving forward is to part ways now. Send Uche to a team that can provide a larger role, while the Patriots get value back for a player they likely shouldn’t pay market value.
For the Falcons, they are in a battle for the NFC South title and rank in the bottom tier of the NFL in sacks. Adding Uche to the mix can help now and in the future.
2. Extend Kyle Dugger
Embed from Getty ImagesThis one is pretty straightforward. Kyle Dugger has steadily improved with the Patriots since he was drafted. The former second-round pick is due for a new contract and it should come in New England. The Patriots use Dugger to the best of his abilities and they should keep him around.
- Mock Extension: three years, 36 million max value (22 million guaranteed), including two million annually in incentives.
3. Trade Devante Parker
Embed from Getty Images- Browns receive: WR DeVante Parker
- Patriots receive: Browns 2024 7th round pick
Patriots restructure Parker’s deal to pay the majority of his remaining 2023 salary BEFORE trading him to the Browns
This is a simple dump-off for the Patriots. This team should be about building for the future and DeVante Parker shouldn’t be part of that. In this scenario, the Patriots send Parker to the Browns for a 2024 7th-round pick. Patriots pay most of his remaining 2023 salary but escape the rest of his contract. It’s time to let some of the young WRs show what they can do. We saw a glimpse of that in week seven.
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Featured Image: Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
