New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to fortify their roster with a midseason trade. An analyst suggested they contact Mike Vrabel’s former team about a defensive upgrade.
Numerous reports have linked the Patriots to edge rushers before the trade deadline. NFL.com’s Kevin Patra highlighted a possible target when identifying Tennessee Titans linebacker Dre’Mont Jones as New England’s best fit.
“Jones has been productive of late — even with Jeffery Simmons out of the lineup — recording a sack in three straight games and 10 of his 17 QB pressures in that span,” Patra wrote. “The 28-year-old is an impending free agent who likely isn’t long for the Titans. The Patriots could sorely use better depth in their pass rush, and perhaps they were clearing a spot to address that area by trading away Keion White.”
Patra noted that the Patriots haven’t received many quarterback pressures beyond their starting unit. Harold Landry III, Milton Williams and K’Lavon Chaisson have also compiled 13.5 of the team’s 19 sacks through eight games.
Along with his sack streak, which he continued in a Week 7 loss to New England, Jones has 22 tackles (four for a loss) and a fumble recovery. The 28-year-old hasn’t missed any time since the 2022 season, and the 1-7 Titans stand out as a probable seller.
The Patriots have accrued five straight wins entering their Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons, but Patra feels they would benefit from a deadline roster boost to fuel a playoff run.
“The team’s revival under Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel is a nice story,” Patra wrote, “but New England could use some aid to ensure it is competing deep into January.”
