Patriots Open To Trading CB Carlton Davis?

Davis has missed four games this year due to a neck injury, but he has retained a starting role opposite Christian Gonzalez when healthy and currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 10th-best corner out of 103 qualifiers thanks to a strong overall score of 76.5. He is under contract through 2027 and carries a reasonable $15MM base salary next year (albeit with a $22MM cap hit).

Given the record-setting extension the Patriots authorized for Gonzalez in September, the $16.5MM of cap savings they could realize if they trade Davis (either now or in the offseason) certainly has some appeal. Still, it would be strange for a playoff contender fresh off a Super Bowl appearance to move a quality starting cornerback during the season, particularly if, as Breer suggests, the likely return would be a fourth-round pick (the same price he assigns to Barmore).

For what it’s worth, head coach Mike Vrabel downplayed the notion of a trade involving either Barmore or Davis. Per Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe, Vrabel has not spoken to either player about the rumors.

“This time of year, I think that all these things kind of get drummed up,” Vrabel said. “So, we’re focused on trying to prepare for [Week 9’s game against] Green Bay and make the corrections from the game. This is business as normal here, so I don’t know where a lot of these things come from. Certainly not from any conversations with me.” 

In his latest Sunday roundup of Patriots notes, Reiss specifically referenced Breer’s report regarding Barmore’s trade candidacy, but his discussion of Davis pertained only to the CB’s recovery from his neck ailment. Reiss also said any trade New England makes to acquire talent is likely to be a modest one, not a blockbuster like this summer’s A.J. Brown deal.

That said, the Pats are on the hunt for EDGE help, per Breer and The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson. While the team has managed 22 sacks to date – the sixth-highest total in the league – it has been without Harold Landry the entire season, and even a rotational pass rusher can bolster any defense.

Breer does not believe the Patriots will trade both Barmore and Davis at the deadline, if they deal either one.