NFL insiders predict any Patriots moves before trade deadline

Time is running down on NFL teams to make moves, with the NFL trade deadline approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m.

The Patriots have already begun dealing, as they sent safety Kyle Dugger to Pittsburgh and defensive end Keion White to San Francisco on Tuesday.

Speculation continues to rise over what could happen in the coming days, with NFL insiders making their predictions for every team.

Here’s what they had to say about New England:

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN:

“The Patriots have a good thing going and don’t need to act desperately. But they will monitor the market in case a move makes sense, particularly at edge rusher and possibly an offensive skill position.”

It’s hard to mess with things when they’re going well, and right now New England sits at 6-2 atop the AFC East. ESPN gives them an 85.7% chance of making the playoffs, as they continue their relatively easy schedule against the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.

Aaron Schatz, ESPN:

“Running back. A third back would be useful with Antonio Gibson (torn ACL) out for the season, particularly someone who could contribute as a receiver and in the return game.”

Since Gibson’s injury, Rhamondre Stevenson and Treveyon Henderson have carried the workload. However, their run game has been underwhelming, with the Patriots being 18th in the league in rush yards per game and 25th in yards per attempt.

Could the solution be in house? On Wednesday, the Patriots elevated back Terrell Jennings to the 53-man roster and signed veteran D’Ernest Johnson to the practice squad.

Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports:

“I think a guy that would probably be a little bit more realistic, and fill that role a little bit of Antonio Gibson would be someone like Jerome Ford of the Cleveland Browns,” Sullivan stated on the “CBS Sports HQ” show on Monday, in agreement with Schatz.

Sullivan compared Ford to Gibson in that he can provide depth behind Stevenson and Henderson as well as help out with kick returns. Ford had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2023, but has consistently been a backup for the Browns over the last 4 years.

However, after being pushed out of the Cleveland backfield due to them leaning on rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, there’s a chance that Ford’s on the market.

Ben Solak, ESPN:

Solak believes a different skill position should be looked at for New England.

“Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. Both Chris Olave and Shaheed should be targets, but Shaheed would probably cost less and also fits nicer into the spread-the-wealth style of quarterback Drake Maye.”

Shaheed has put up a line of 39-431-2 this season as the second option in New Orleans, behind Olave.

While there were rumors about Olave as well, Solak likes the speed Shaheed brings. He hit 21.72 MPH on a TD in Week 5, the fastest speed reached on a TD this season.

As well as this, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Saints are open to giving up Shaheed as they are trying to re-sign Olave. They will likely ask for a third-round pick in exchange for the quick receiver.

Mike Reiss, ESPN:

Reiss offered up an option for someone who could be on their way out for the Patriots.

“Edge rusher Anfernee Jennings. A six-year veteran who started in the previous Bill Belichick-Jerod Mayo defense, he is now a backup to Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson.”

Both Landry and Chaisson are new to the team this year, but have immediately shown they were worth the money. They are yet to allow a running back to rush for 50 yards in a game, and Chaisson was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in week 7, following his scoop-and-score TD.