Patriots Trade Rumors Coming True Would Be Major Mistake

The Patriots would be wise to trade away some assets ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean they need to trade all of them.

New England has been a popular source of pre-deadline rumors, with several names being floated as potential trade candidates in recent weeks.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini added a few Saturday, saying the club was “open to moving” wideouts Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne, as well as safety Kyle Dugger while stating that defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was “available” to potential suitors.

Why?

Thornton absolutely makes sense, as he’s provided next to nothing during his three seasons in New England, and by playing him, you’re only blocking the development of younger wideouts like Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker.

Bourne has value on this team, though. The Patriots are in desperate need of some leadership in the receiving room, and with Thornton and K.J. Osborn presumably on the way out, it makes sense to keep a locker room guy around while he continues to work back from a season-ending knee injury.

Dugger and Godchaux? No, you can’t trade them, either.

New England should maximize the value of some players who aren’t part of the future, but Godchaux and Dugger are! The Patriots literally handed new contracts to each of them this past offseason, with Dugger signing a four-year, $58 million deal and Godchaux being extended with a new two-year deal worth up to $21 million with $16.5 million guaranteed.

Dugger is a captain, who plays every single defensive snap possible when healthy. Godchaux has made a case as the best defensive player on the roster this season, single-handedly holding together (as best he can) a defensive line that lost Matthew Judon and Christian Barmore before the season.

The Patriots stink, and obtaining draft capital probably should be the top priority over the next few days, but trading away legitimate pieces for the future will only make the rebuild longer.