With cutdown day looming, the New England Patriots executed a pair of trades this week.
First, they shipped running back Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams. One day later, they sent two Day 3 draft picks to the Baltimore Ravens to acquire rookie cornerback Shaun Wade.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick addressed both during an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub ahead of Sunday night’s preseason finale against the New York Giants.
Belichick said the Patriots had their eye on Wade ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Once considered a likely first-round prospect, he fell to the fifth round after a rough final season at Ohio State.
“Shaun was a player that we liked in the draft,” Belichick said. “He has some versatility, played really all the corner positions at Ohio State, inside and outside. He’s a smart guy and can pick things up, multiples up. Obviously played at a high level of competition. I’m happy to have the opportunity to add him to our group.”
Wade is in uniform and could make his Patriots debut against the Giants.
The Patriots’ depth at running back made Michel, a 2018 first-round draft pick, expendable. He appeared in 38 games over his three seasons in New England and played a key role in the team’s most recent Super Bowl run in 2018.
“Sony has been instrumental in our success offensively when he was on the field,” Belichick said. “He battled through some challenging situations, as well, during his time here, but he’s a quality kid, always worked hard, always gave his best to try to help the team, and he helped the team in a number of ways. In the end, we did what we felt was best for the football team. We wish Sony well and appreciate all that he did for us, but we just have to move on. Player movement’s a reality in the National Football League.”
The Patriots must trim their roster from 80 players to 53 by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
