There’s a case to be made the New England Patriots can purchase earlier than Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
And the group reportedly is contemplating it.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported the Patriots are “monitoring the commerce market” to doubtlessly add at broad receiver, defensive sort out or offensive sort out.
Listed below are 5 gamers at these three positions the Patriots may think about:
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins has been linked to the Patriots for months, and it certainly will proceed. The 25-year-old is enjoying on Cincinnati’s franchise tag and can hit the open market in March. Surprisingly, the 3-5 Bengals are third within the division and at the moment exterior the playoff image. If by some probability Cincy is open to dealing Higgins for draft capital earlier than the deadline, the Patriots can be clever to make it occur with the expectation he indicators a long-term deal.
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Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
A reunion with Meyers certainly can be one thing Patriots followers may get behind. Invoice Belichick’s Patriots signed JuJu Smith-Schuster as an alternative of Meyers earlier than the 2023 marketing campaign and it aged terribly. Smith-Schuster was minimize this offseason whereas Meyers has had success in Las Vegas. Meyers’ contract is about to run out after 2025 and the 2-6 Raiders already traded Davante Adams.
Evan Neal, OT, New York Giants
It is a dart throw for a as soon as premier expertise. The 2022 first-round decide hasn’t performed an offensive snap this season after a mixture of accidents (21 video games in three seasons) and inconsistent play. Neal sits behind 29-year-old journeyman Jermaine Eluemunor, who has one other yr underneath contract. Maybe the 2-6 Giants would commerce Neal for a draft decide given he’s closing in on his fifth-year choice and changing into much less precious with every passing day. The Patriots may attempt to present Neal a change of surroundings in hopes that helps the Alabama product.
Taylor Moton, OT, Carolina Panthers
Cam Robinson would’ve discovered his identify on this checklist if he wasn’t traded this week. Moton is on the alternative finish of the spectrum as Neal. The 30-year-old offensive sort out signed a five-year, $85 million extension which is able to expire after the 2025 season. If the 1-7 Panthers wished to recoup one thing for Moton, buying and selling him could possibly be in play. Moton wouldn’t be the long-term offensive sort out for the Patriots, however he can be New England’s finest pass-blocker and permit Mike Onwenu to maneuver from proper sort out to proper guard — and keep there. He would offer short-term stability in entrance of Drake Maye whereas the Patriots convey different offensive tackles (who they’ll draft) up to the mark.
Jeremiah Ledbetter, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler included Ledbetter in a current commerce rumor with the 2-6 Jaguars struggling. Ledbetter is enjoying on an expiring contract, however maybe Eliot Wolf and firm may achieve a way if he would stay in New England after 2024. Ledbetter ranks fifteenth amongst defensive tackles with regards to run protection, per Professional Soccer Focus. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive sort out began three video games for the Jaguars this season.
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