Three trade-deadline targets for Patriots to make AFC East push

The New England Patriots (5-2) are in a tight battle with the Buffalo Bills (4-2) for the AFC East title. To give themselves an edge, the Patriots must be buyers ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4. 

Here are three players they could target.

Cincinnati Bengals edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson

The Athletic's Chad Graff shared that the Patriots are focused on acquiring a defensive piece. If that's the case, Hendrickson is a perfect fit. 

The 30-year-old recorded 17.5 sacks in 2024 and already has four under his belt in 2025. Adding him would immediately turn New England's pass-rush, which ranks 13th in sacks (18), from average to elite. 

Per the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hendrickson is a "big-time trade target." Since demand is high, expect the Patriots to spend significant capital if they snag him.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary 

New England's starting CBs, Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III, are talented, but they are in trouble if one of them gets injured.

Their backup is Alex Austin, and in the 144 snaps he's played this season, Pro Football Focus graded him at 42.2, which ranks 109 out of 112 corners. 

McCreary, on the other hand, is ranked 30th (67.6). Plus, he was drafted by then-Titans head coach and current Patriots HC Mike Vrabel in 2022, so he's familiar with New England's defensive system.

At 1-6, Tennessee's season is likely over. They ought to shop McCreary to stock up on 2026 draft picks.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown

Brown admitted he "cried his eyes out" when New England passed on him in the 2019 NFL Draft, but the Patriots are the ones crying now. Across his seven seasons in the NFL, the 28-year-old has exceeded 1,000 receiving yards five times and has never had fewer than five touchdowns in a season. 

The Titans selected Brown at No. 51 in 2019, and the two were together for three seasons. Under Vrabel's leadership, Brown caught 185 passes for 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns.

The Patriots have a solid offense as is. They rank eighth in points (25.9) and passing yards per game (239.9). Adding Brown — one of the league's best receivers — would make their offense unstoppable, giving them a realistic chance to take the AFC's top seed and make a deep playoff run.