Patriots Trade Talk: 2nd Edition

The New England Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons and now have a record of 7-2. They lead the AFC East and are the second seed in the AFC. The season’s future looms as the NFL Trade Deadline is tomorrow at 4:00pm EST. Two weeks ago, in the first edition of Patriots Trade Talk, it was discussed that running back and defensive back were two of the biggest needs for the Pats. Fast forward, the running back is certainly still important, but a new need has emerged.

The Patriots need offensive line help. After a strong start to the season in pass protection, the unit has regressed sharply. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett accounted for all six sacks last week, and the Falcons added another six yesterday despite a top-tier pass defense. Regardless, adding another reliable piece up front would be a major upgrade before tomorrow’s deadline.

Ranking the Patriots’ needs is challenging with a 7-2 roster capable of matching up against any AFC opponent. The priority list shapes up as: 1. Offensive line, 2. Running back, 3. Edge rusher. All three positions remain critical for a legitimate playoff push. With fewer than twenty-four hours until the deadline, the next moves will reveal the front office’s final calculus

@nicseeley12