
Despite being a wildcard entering the 2025-2026 NFL season, the New England Patriots are expected to be buyers and sellers ahead of the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline. Following a disappointing 1-2 start to the year, Mike Vrabel’s group hasn’t looked back, winning five straight games convincingly.
Over the offseason, New England added significant talent to a 2024 team that had been lacking it. The additions of Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, Robert Spillane, Harold Landry, Stefon Diggs, Will Campbell, and more have significantly improved the team’s performance on the field and in the locker room. Despite making many significant additions, the roster still has flaws from prior years of poor draft classes, leaving many trade deadline opportunities for the Patriots’ front office.
Patriots Receive: Rashid Shaheed
Saints Receive: 2026 4th, 2027 7th
Despite getting solid contributions from their current receiving core, it’d be hard to pass up on a player like Rashid Shaheed. With the New Orleans Saints sitting at just 1-7 heading into their bye week, they could certainly look to offload expiring contracts such as Shaheed’s. The 27-year-old wide-out could provide legitimate field-stretching potential with his difference-making speed and ball-tracking ability. His size and length, paired with his speed, could make him a nearly perfect deep-ball partner for Drake Maye, who’s been the most efficient deep-ball passer in the league through eight weeks. While New England would sacrifice a mid-round pick to get the deal done, it wouldn’t be too steep a price to bolster a good offensive unit.
Patriots Receive: Kayvon Thibodeaux, 2027 6th
Giants Receive: 2026 3rd, 2027 7th
While the New York Giants reportedly don’t plan on trading Kayvon Thibodeaux, it could still be something they change their stance on ahead of the deadline. Despite showing promise, season-ending injuries to Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers will likely derail the Giants’ hopes of competing in 2025. Playing on a fifth-year option, Thibodeaux’s future in New York is up in the air, potentially causing the team to move on from the former first-round selection. With the Patriots needing help off the edge, Thibodeaux could be a top target with the hopes of landing a long-term extension in New England. He would come in as the top outside pass rusher and contribute to the Patriots’ playoff push as a scheme fit.
Patriots Receive: Dameon Pierce, 2026 7th
Texans Receive: 2026 6th
While many fans and analysts don’t view running back as a positional need at the moment, the Patriots clearly value depth at the position, featuring multiple backs in each game of the season. With Antonio Gibson suffering a season-ending injury and Rhamondre Stevenson dealing with an injured toe, New England could certainly add a veteran back to the equation. Despite putting up a solid rookie season, Dameon Pierce has been phased out of the Texans’ offense in recent years, making him a potential trade candidate. While it wouldn’t be an expensive addition for the Patriots, Pierce could add value as a depth option with solid pass protection and a bit of explosiveness.
No matter who it adds, it’s important that New England remains active in looking to bolster their roster at the 2025 NFL trade deadline. While it’s still the first half of the season, this Patriots team appears to be the most competitive group since Tom Brady’s departure. Although New England has played well, this roster still has significant flaws that can be addressed on the trade market. If the Patriots can make multiple significant additions, they could be viewed as a potential contender in the AFC.
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