Why Patriots Should Trade Returning Wide Receiver To Contender

The New England Patriots' season outlook got worse Wednesday, and New England needs to decide if it wants to be a seller at the NFL trade deadline.

Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed David Andrews will get shoulder surgery, and the captain will likely be placed on season-ending injured reserve. The 32-year-old's news compounded other key injuries through four weeks: Ja'Whaun Bentley, Vederian Lowe and Kyle Dugger, to name a few.

The Patriots will continue to scratch and claw their way through the season, and it's possible they could sneak in a few wins, but New England was projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, and it's hard not to think that won't happen after the injuries at key positions.

Reinforcements are expected to arrive with Kendrick Bourne, Sione Takitaki and Marte Mapu back at practice Wednesday. It's unknown where Cole Strange is in his recovery from his knee injury, but head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed to reporters Wednesday that his side could get at least three players back from the physical unable to perform list.

Takitaki is an intriguing player for the defense, and Mapu showed last season he's a worthy player to be part of the rebuild. Bourne is an awkward spot. The 29-year-old came off an ACL injury heading into this season when he was expected to be one of the team's most reliable wide receivers. But how much value does he offer to a team with little hope for the postseason?

If Bourne is healthy from his injury, the Patriots should take the opportunity to deal the veteran away to contenders who need depth at the position. New England was willing to let Bourne walk in the Brandon Aiyuk trade, so the San Francisco 49ers seemed to believe their former wide receiver could contribute in some way.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost Rashee Rice to a knee injury. While the severity of the injury is up in the air, the reigning two-time Super Bowl champions will lose their star player for multiple weeks. Bourne would fit well and give Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes a more dynamic weapon than Skky Moore and former New England wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster.

If the Los Angeles Rams still think they're in the playoff hunt, they could reunite Bourne with former Eastern Washington teammate Cooper Kupp. The Dallas Cowboys desperately need a No. 2 wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb.

The Patriots probably aren't getting a hefty return for Bourne, but New England must be in the asset accumulation game, which is why trading for Davante Adams would be a foolish move. Mayo's side needs depth at every key position and the best way to acquire more depth is through the draft, even if those picks aren't high-value selections.

New England is 1-3 heading into its Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium this Sunday. It's too early to say it is completely out of postseason contention, but a realistic approach of being sellers in the market would benefit the team in the long run.