Which positions Patriots are reportedly focusing on forward of commerce deadline

The NFL commerce deadline is on Nov. 4.

Mike Vrabel and the Patriots are ready so as to add forward of the commerce deadline. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Workers

October 18, 2025 | 4:26 PM

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The Patriots’ focus forward of the commerce deadline doesn’t appear to be on bettering the expertise round Drake Maye.

New England isn’t calling groups trying to find a working again, however it’s speaking to groups about making an attempt so as to add an edge rusher, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reported Saturday. The Patriots have additionally expressed curiosity in buying a cornerback, in keeping with NFL insider Josina Anderson.

The Patriots’ reported lack of curiosity in buying a working again forward of the Nov. 4 commerce deadline may look like a little bit of a shock. Their working sport hasn’t had the impact that many thought it might, with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson every speeding for fewer than 4 yards per carry this season. New England additionally ranks twenty seventh in speeding yards per sport this season, and its depth took a success when Antonio Gibson suffered a season-ending damage in Week 5.

However the Patriots’ want in wanting to enhance their protection is definitely comprehensible. They’ve been one of many worst groups at defending opposing quarterbacks this season, rating twenty fifth in passing yards allowed per sport. Opposing quarterbacks even have a 103.8 passer ranking in opposition to New England this 12 months, which is tied for the seventh-worst mark amongst all defenses this 12 months. The Patriots have additionally recorded simply 4 sacks of their final 4 video games.

From a personnel standpoint, the Patriots are comparatively wholesome at each spots. Nevertheless, they’ve handled damage issues with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Harold Landry, and Okay’Lavon Chaisson at factors throughout the common season.

Nonetheless, getting further depth at both spot wouldn’t harm. However a few of the high names that have been considered accessible may not be moved. The Bengals aren’t anticipated to commerce edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, and the Titans don’t need to commerce defensive deal with Jeffery Simmons, Russini reported.

The Dolphins have taken calls on edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, although, in keeping with Russini. Chubb has 4 sacks this season as he’s been thought of one of many league’s higher cross rushers for a bit, whereas Phillips has one sack this 12 months as he’s in his first full season again since tearing his Achilles in 2023.

Elsewhere, Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Titans edge rusher Arden Key have been speculated to be potential commerce deadline candidates. Thibodeaux, who the Giants took with the fifth total decide within the 2022 NFL Draft, has 2.5 sacks this season, whereas Key has 1.5 sacks in 5 video games. Key and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel solely spent a season collectively in Tennessee, with the veteran recording six sacks in 2023.

Chubb and Thibodeaux are each underneath contract for the 2026 season, which could power the Patriots, or some other crew, to surrender greater than they might for a rental participant on the deadline. Key and Phillips are each set to grow to be free brokers in March.

At cornerback, Riq Woolen of the Seahawks, Rasul Douglas of the Dolphins, and Alontae Taylor of the Saints are amongst these imagined to be commerce candidates. Woolen led the NFL in interceptions as a rookie in 2022, however his play has taken a dip over the past couple of seasons. He’s allowed 9 touchdowns to 3 interceptions because the starting of the 2024 season, per Professional Soccer Focus.

Douglas, in the meantime, has been a standout for the Dolphins regardless of signing in late August. He’s allowed simply 145 yards in protection this season, in keeping with PFF. Taylor’s allowed 200 yards and three touchdowns within the Saints’ first six video games.

Woolen, Douglas, and Taylor are all set to grow to be free brokers on the finish of the season, with Woolen and Taylor reaching the tip of their respective rookie contracts.

Because the Patriots enter their Week 7 matchup in opposition to the Titans 4-2 and in first place within the AFC East, Mike Vrabel lately mentioned the crew could be wanting so as to add forward of the deadline no matter their file.

“I believe we’ll simply proceed to attempt to strengthen the roster each day. Typically these are small strikes, perhaps larger ones,” Vrabel advised reporters on Wednesday. “However I don’t assume that, proper now, these conversations are centered round what our file is at the moment.”