New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots, like every team across the NFL, are looking to swing some deals before the trade deadline strikes in a couple of hours. However, that isn’t the only avenue the team is exploring as it looks to improve its roster.
While the Patriots have a 7-2 record, thanks in large part to an ongoing six-game win streak, there are several areas of need that the team could benefit from addressing. Perhaps the biggest area of need is the front seven on defense, which has struggled to generate pressure on the quarterback over the past few games.
Rumors are swirling that indicate New England is exploring trades at this position, but that isn’t all they are doing. A report emerged on Tuesday morning indicating that the team brought in linebackers DJ Johnson and Andrew Farmer, and defensive tackle Viliami Fehoko Jr. for workouts.
“Patriots update: D.J. Johnson, Andrew Farmer and Viliami Fehoko Jr., worked out today for team, per NFL source,” Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported in a post on X.
Of this trio, Johnson is the only one to have suited up in an NFL game this season. A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Johnson spent the first three seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers before getting released earlier this season. The Patriots got a firsthand look at Johnson back in Week 4 when the two teams faced each other.
Farmer hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2023, when he suited up in eight games with the Los Angeles Chargers. Fehoko, meanwhile, is still waiting to make his NFL debut after he got selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
The Patriots’ front office is doing its due diligence, but these guys are more likely to be depth options than immediate contributors. The team will continue to look for guys who fit the latter category on the trade market before the deadline slams shut at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
