A number of changes may occur in the coming months as the New England Patriots embark on a new chapter in their history. These three Pats players have the highest likelihood of being dealt over the NFL offseason.
The New England Patriots fans are eager for the post-Bill Belichick era to begin, even though it will take some getting used to. After the Pats missed out on three of the last four postseasons, all eyes are on recently hired head coach Jerod Mayor to see whether he can turn the organisation back.
This offseason, expect a lot of action as management works to provide Mayo with the resources he needs to be successful. While some players on the Patriots roster appear to have promise, others still require work. Even if it’s addition by subtraction, the trade market, the NFL Draft, and free agency can all be utilised to strengthen those sectors.
Don’t be shocked if one or more of these three Patriots are traded in the upcoming months in terms of possible offseason deals.
1. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
We may safely conclude that in 2023, the JuJu Smith-Schuster experiment did not proceed as expected. The former 27-year-old wide receiver was signed to help a New England passing attack that finished 20th in 2022, but instead of helping the team, he ended up with just 260 receiving yards and one score on 29 catches over 11 games.
You might attribute Smith-Schuster’s dismal performance on injuries, but it remains the case that he was on track to record a career-low 401 yards in just 17 games. Among his six seasons, his 48.2 passer rating when targeted was also by far the lowest.
To put things in perspective, Blaine Gabbert, the backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, is the only one out of 59 quarterbacks to post a lower passer rating than that from the previous season (31.3).
Given that the Patriots’ 2024 salary cap hit will be $10.2 million, according to Spotrac, it makes sense if they don’t believe Smith-Schuster’s output justifies that expense. Luckily, if he’s dealt before June 1st, they can save around $5 million in cap space; if not, they can save $7.6 million.
At least one prospective suitor who is optimistic about a possible comeback is certain to come along. Considering that Smith-Schuster won a Super Bowl and amassed 900 receiving yards just two seasons prior, the Patriots may be able to persuade another team to select him.
2. QB Mac Jones
It may already be time for Mac Jones to move on from New England after being selected with the fifteenth overall choice in 2021.
Unfortunately, Jones continued exactly where he left off a year later, following a lacklustre 2022 showing. Throughout his 11 starts this season, the former Alabama gunslinger amassed 2,210 passing yards, 12 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and a 77.0 passer rating. However, he failed so much that in four games, backup quarterback Bailey Zappe took his place.
Though technically still young enough to recover, Jones, 24, probably won’t get the chance to test that notion in New England. Since Jones was selected by Belichick, it’s likely that Mayo would rather develop his own quarterback.
With the third overall pick in their possession going into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots may be able to upgrade Jones with either Caleb Williams of USC, Drake Maye of UNC, or Jayden Daniels of LSU. Selecting one of those signal-callers in the draft and starting them with a seasoned quarterback, such as Joe Flacco, would be a significant improvement over the Jones-Zappe combination.
Whether the Patriots move Jones before or after June 1, they would also save $2,785,412 in cap space.
3. DE Matthew Judon
Matthew Judon is another trade prospect the Patriots could consider this summer if they really want to make some roster changes.
When healthy, the eight-year veteran is among the NFL’s top rushers. Since the 2019 season began, he has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times. In 2022, he even came in ninth place in the Defensive Player of the Year vote. Additionally, he is tied with Danielle Hunter for the 10th-most sacks over the last five seasons with 47.5.
That being said, Judon’s health was far from optimal in 2023. His season was cut short after just four games due to a bothersome biceps ailment, which limited him to 13 tackles and 4.0 sacks in those games. The Patriots are hopeful that he will fully recover, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that he turns 32 in August and may never be able to reach his Pro Bowl level again.
It seems unlikely that Judon will be able to obtain his first Super Bowl ring in New England very soon. He probably would prefer to go after rings elsewhere than take part in a rebuild because the Patriots are still a long way from having a group capable of winning a title.
Judon also becomes a free agent in 2025, thus it makes more sense for the Pats to acquire something for him now rather than risk losing him for nothing in the upcoming season.
If the Patriots are prepared to move on and begin the new era correctly, moving Judon this offseason makes perfect sense, since it will save them around $6.7 million after June 1 and $4.4 million before.
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