Patriots reportedly seeking offensive tackle help, Kyle Dugger among players who could be traded
New England has reportedly made a handful of players available ahead of the trade deadline.
The Patriots might straddle the line of being a buyer and seller ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
New England is open to moving a handful of veteran players, including Kyle Dugger, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reported Saturday. Additionally, New England is taking calls on defensive tackle Davon Godchaux along with wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton, according to Russini. The 49ers are reportedly among the teams who’ve inquired about Godchaux.
As the Patriots are making a few notable players available for trade, they’ve reportedly been on the market for an offensive tackle. They inquired the Jaguars about a possible trade for offensive tackle Cam Robinson before he was moved to the Vikings earlier this week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported. Additionally, New England has shown interest in free-agent offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, Fowler added in his report.
The Patriots’ possible interest in trading a few veterans at the deadline isn’t too surprising. They’re 2-6 and moved edge rusher Joshua Uche to the Chiefs for a 2026 sixth-round pick on Monday.
However, a few of the names being rumored as possible trade candidates could be a bit of a surprise. Dugger, Godchaux, and Bourne each signed multi-year deals with the team over the offseason. The Patriots also made Dugger a team captain this season.
Godchaux, who was first rumored to be a trade candidate last week, told MassLive’s Mark Daniels that he hadn’t been informed by the Patriots he could potentially be moved ahead of the trade deadline, adding that he likes his situation in New England.
“I’m happy,” Godchaux told Daniels. “There’s been ups and downs with the adversity that losing comes with and a new coaching change. We’re trying to establish the identity of the team and just get things rolling. Trust the process, be where your feet are, and keep grinding.
“Everybody is just kind of getting adjusted to it and getting adjusted to each other. It’s going to be a little rough starting off. Once you get clicking, it should be on.”
Godchaux has been one of the bright spots for the Patriots in what’s largely been a gloomy season. The veteran has 29 total tackles and has been regarded as one of the team’s strongest run defenders.
Dugger has also been productive. He has 35 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in six games this season. He signed a four-year, $58 million deal with $32.5 million guaranteed in April after receiving the transition tag in March.
Bourne, meanwhile, hasn’t been too stellar since he returned from an ACL tear in Week 5. After signing a three-year, $19.5 million deal over the offseason, Bourne only has four receptions for 29 yards in four games. Thornton, a 2022 second-round pick, has also been underwhelming, recording just four receptions for 47 yards this season.
As for Humphries, the 30-year-old has been a free agent since the Cardinals released him in March. Humphries, who was a Pro Bowler in 2021, allowed four sacks and 28 pressures at left tackle last season, per Pro Football Focus.
The Patriots’ struggles at offensive tackle have been well-documented. But starting left tackle Vederian Lowe has provided some stability at the position as he’s yet to allow a sack in five games this season. Still, the Patriots have had some troubles at right tackle this season as Mike Onwenu and Demontrey Jacobs have been inconsistent.
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