Making Case For Lowly Patriots To Buy Before Trade Deadline

The New England Patriots are in the business of acquiring talent and putting talent on the football field. Regardless if that takes place during the offseason with free agency or the NFL draft, or mid-season before the trade deadline.

It’s why the 2-6 Patriots, a record typically associated with a trade-deadline seller, should keep the door open on buying.

NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Tuesday the Patriots are considering adding at positions of need. They should, as discussed by NESN’s George Balekji and Sean McGuire on the latest episode of NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast.

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It’s rooted in the fact the Patriots are not an attractive landing spot. Free agents aren’t lining up at One Patriot Place. So the thought the Patriots should let players on expiring contracts (Tee Higgins?) hit the open market and spend at that time doesn’t factor in their situation. Those players will opt for franchises with more attractive situations.

In a perfect world, the Patriots would trade for young stars with term left on their contract. It’s not a perfect world, of course. That’s situations don’t come around often.

But adding impactful contributors under contract would go a long way. So would adding players on expiring deals as it would give the Patriots a leg-up on the competition. Perhaps Eliot Wolf gains assurances a trade candidate would sign his next contract in New England? If that’s the case, the Patriots executive vice president of player personnel should pay to acquire that player now.

The Patriots are in the basement of a six-story rebuild. Everything is about the future.

But that doesn’t strictly mean selling for future picks. Adding proven players is just as important, even if that means trading to acquire them.