The lead-up to the NFL draft is one giant thought experiment. We’re left to consider what could happen. And during the 2020 NFL Draft, there’s so much that’s within the realm of possibility, especially for the New England Patriots, who have a lot of tradable assets and a number of needs across their depth chart. They will likely be looking to upgrade every position, from quarterback to offensive line. And while they have 12 draft picks to do just that, they also only have one pick in the top 85 selections. If they want premium players, they may have to make some moves.
So here’s a look at how they might swap players or picks to bring more talent to New England. Here are seven different trades which might interest New England.
1. Patriots trade RB Sony Michel to the Jaguars for RB Leonard Fournette
Bill Belichick backed Michel ad nauseam during the 2019 season, but the film showed an unconfident runner who lacked burst. He didn’t look anything like the player from the Patriots’ run to win Super Bowl LI. Surely, the regression of the offensive line didn’t help. What’s more, Michel couldn’t get involved in the passing offense. Again, he didn’t seem confident as a pass-catcher. He may simply need a change of scenery and a coaching staff that grants him greater freedom.
Meanwhile, Fournette would be an obvious talent upgrade for the Patriots. His disposition — which is reportedly discontent — might improve under Belichick. (It also might not.) But we seem to have two running backs whose standing with their team is tenuous. Perhaps they can agree to swap, with the Jacksonville ditching a more troublesome but talented player for Michel, a less talented but high-character player.
2. Patriots trade OG Joe Thuney for DE Yannick Ngakoue and 73rd overall
Here’s another discontent Jaguars player. In fact, Ngakoue got into a Twitter fight with Jaguars co-owner Tony Khan. There should be some question as to whether the Patriots would pursue a player like that. But Ngakoue is a rare talent, who might be worth the acquisition. It would be expensive to give him a contract, so perhaps they’d make sure he’s willing to play one year on his franchise tag in New England. Because the Patriots would probably prefer one year of Thuney to Ngakoue, New England picks up a high third-round pick in the process, which is better than what they would have gotten in the compensatory formula if Thuney departed in free agency in 2021.
Maybe Thuney is the quality person the Patriots love having on the roster. But Ngakoue plays a position where the Patriots haven’t had elite pass-rushing talent for quite some time.
3. Patriots trade Rob Gronkowski for Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard
This trade is a hard one to weigh equal for both sides. Tampa seemed to be open to shopping Howard for quite some time. Though, they haven’t found the right price tag on the open market. Would Gronk be enough?
He’d return for one year (or more), and he should be in football shape. But there’s no knowing whether he’d last a training camp (if there is one), let alone a full NFL season (if there is one). But if the Buccaneers are deciding between Gronk and a fourth-round pick, they’ve got to go with Gronk. They’re clearly focusing on winning in this two-year window.
It’s clear Gronk doesn’t want to play for the Patriots, but if he returned just so he could play for Tampa, then Howard would be a good return. He’s young and on his rookie deal. And he’s significantly better than what New England has on the depth chart. This swap can work for both sides.
4. Patriots trade OG Joe Thuney and 23rd overall for WR Odell Beckham Jr. and a third-round pick
This would be the biggest story of the offseason: the Patriots finally get a weapon for their quarterback — after Tom Brady leaves. Essentially, the Patriots send 23rd overall for Beckham and the Browns send a high third-round pick to the Patriots for Thuney. And everyone leaves happy. The Patriots would have to do some accounting to make sure they get Beckham under the cap. But they’d probably be happy to do so with the knowledge they’re getting one of the best receivers in football.
Blockbusters are unlikely. But I really like this one. Why not, right? The Browns could take receiver CeeDee Lamb at 10th overall and offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland at 23rd overall. Meanwhile, the Patriots have Beckham, an elite No. 1 receiver.
5. Patriots trade OG Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears for 50th overall
Because Thuney and offensive linemen, in general, don’t get the credit they deserve, this wouldn’t necessarily look like a major deal. But it would be a good one for both sides. The Bears give up a high second-round pick to solidify their guard position for years to come. The Patriots, meanwhile, get a second-round pick; currently, they have none.
6. Patriots trade OG Joe Thuney to the Bengals for Andy Dalton and a 33rd overall
The Bengals get two things out of this deal. They get Thuney, an elite offensive guard. And they get cap relief from Dalton’s contract.
The Patriots, meanwhile, would have to do some salary cap jiggering to get Dalton under the cap. But they’d be happy to do so, if Dalton comes with the first pick in the second round of this year’s draft. That’s a premium pick.
This is a deal where I’m not totally sure either side wins. But perhaps Cincy loves Thuney and Belichick loves Dalton. And perhaps this comes together.
7. Patriots trade 23rd overall and a 2021 first-round pick to get to the 13th overall pick (and, in turn, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa)
There are few scenarios where I see the Patriots trading up in this year’s draft. And one of those scenarios involves Tagovailoa slipping down the draft board. If he falls because of concerns about his medicals, the Patriots could absolutely pounce on him, especially if they feel they have more information than other teams — not necessarily about medicals but about everything else — with Belichick being tight with Nick Saban.
And while the Patriots have a tough schedule and may well end up picking high in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Patriots could take a risk on Tagovailoa, who was long considered the likely No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, if not for a hip injury which ended his 2019 season.
