5 players the Patriots have been linked to at the NFL trade deadline
Could A.J Green make his way to New England?
The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m., leaving teams with little time to make last-minute moves. The Patriots have been active on the trade market already, trading disgruntled defensive end Michael Bennett to the Cowboys Thursday night, and acquiring wideout Mohamed Sanu earlier in the week. Despite the Patriots’ undefeated record, the team is undoubtedly open to making more moves on the trade market. Here are five possible targets.
O.J. Howard
The Patriots have struggled to fill the void that now-retired Rob Gronkowski left at the tight end position. The team has given snaps to Ryan Izzo, Ben Watson, Eric Tomlinson, and now injured Matt LaCosse and none have proven to be as reliable as the Patriots would like. So rumors surrounding potential trade candidates have been swirling, and none have been more prevalent than Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard. A first-round pick in 2017, Howard has been drastically underutilized in the Buccaneers’ offense, only recording 13 catches through six games this season. While this presents an obvious option for the Patriots in the trade market, it seems the Buccaneers aren’t willing to move their tight end. The Patriots reportedly inquired on the status of Howard last week but were told “no” by the Buccaneers.
Austin Hooper
With Howard seemingly unavailable for now, the Patriots may have to move on to other options. One potential player comes from a team the Patriots are very familiar with, Austin Hooper of the Falcons. Hooper is putting together a solid 2019 season, posting 46 catches for 526 yards in seven games. With the Falcons struggling in the first half of the season, Hooper’s name has been thrown out as a potential name to be traded, and a player the Patriots may be monitoring.
Tyler Eifert
Another option at tight end that may draw the eye of the Pats is Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert. Linked to a potential trade to the Patriots earlier this season, the 0-6 Bengals may want to move Eifert before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Eifert hasn’t posted big numbers this season — 17 catches for 118 yards — but he has been productive in the past, even making the Pro Bowl in 2015.
A.J. Green
The Patriots already added a new wide receiver in former Falcon Mohamed Sanu, parting with a second-round pick to get him, but with Josh Gordon being placed on IR, the team may want to add more depth. The Patriots were linked with Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders, but he was traded to the 49ers on Tuesday, meaning the Patriots will have to look elsewhere. One name that continues to surface is Bengals receiver A.J. Green. Green hasn’t seen the field yet this season after hurting his ankle during the preseason, but head coach Zac Taylor says Green is close to making his season debut. While Green has been heavily rumored to be on the trade block, Taylor insists that Green won’t be traded. Whether that is the truth remains to be seen.
Trent Williams
The Redskins left tackle has yet to play a game this season as he continues to hold out for a new contract. Williams has been linked with several teams throughout the season, one of which is the Patriots. It was reported that the Patriots were prepared to offer their 2020 first-round pick for Williams, but the Redskins said that wouldn’t be enough for the Pro Bowl tackle. With Isaiah Wynn injured, an upgrade at left tackle could be in order for the Patriots. Marshall Newhouse has been filling in for Wynn, but if the Patriots want a new and healthy option on their offensive line, Williams may be the answer.
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