Top NFL Insider Reveals Patriots’ Trade Hopes In Surprising Report

A new report indicates the Patriots could be active ahead of the NFL trade deadline, but fans might be surprised by the details.

On Saturday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic provided a note on New England as part of a wide-ranging report about NFL trade rumors.

“The Patriots are not making calls for a running back, but they have talked to teams about pass rushers,” Russini wrote. “They’re fielding calls on several of their own players as well.”

Many have assumed the Patriots will pursue help at running — perhaps in the form of Breece Hall — before the Nov. 4 deadline. Antonio Gibson is out for the season due to a torn ACL, Rhamondre Stevenson has struggled with fumbles, and rookie TreVeyon Henderson hasn’t met preseason expectations. Second-year pro Terrell Jennings is an intriguing depth option but remains unproven.

Nevertheless, the Patriots have enough talent to make things work in the running game, provided Stevenson holds onto the ball and Henderson improves. So, they’re reported lack of interest in trade for a running back makes sense.

As for the interest in pass rushers, it depends on how you feel about the defense. On the one hand, New England ranks 10th in the NFL with 18 sacks and is paying a lot of money to Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Harold Landry. On the other hand, Landry, Williams and K’Lavon Chaisson account for 13.5 of the sacks, and the Patriots have relied on schemed-up pressure rather than flat-out beating offensive lines with a four-man rush.

With all that said, it’s hard to argue against inside linebacker being the top need ahead of the deadline. Robert Spillane (team-leading 53 tackles) has been excellent, but the Patriots have few, if any, starting-caliber linebackers elsewhere on the depth chart.