Patriots trade Marcus Cannon to the Texans for pick swaps

Well, now we know why Trent Brown is here.

The Patriots today traded RT Marcus Cannon to the Texans for picks swaps in the 4th, 5th and 6th round, a league source confirmed.

The move will save the Patriots about $6.3 million after a dead cap charge of $2.6 million.

What does it mean? Is this a good deal? Who's going to play where now?

BSJ Analysis

The deal, first reported by Jim McBride of the Globe, is a net neutral trade for the Patriots, all things considered.

To swap Brown for Cannon, the deal basically breaks down like this...

PATRIOTS GET

Trent Brown, who has LT potential. Cannon doesn't.
Equivalent of a late 6th-round pick in the pick swap.
Clear $8.7 million off the cap.

PATRIOTS GIVE UP

Marcus Cannon, a good starting-caliber OT.
A 2022 fifth-round pick.
Possibly $11 million for Brown (we'll call it a base $7 million).
$2.5 million in dead cap space

If Cannon, a three-time Super Bowl winner, came back and played at his former level — he and Brown were rated the same by PFF in 2019, and both played about the same amount in 2020! (rim shot) — for the Patriots, then this trade could potentially be a loss ... unless Brown, who has played over 1,000 snaps twice in six seasons, plays left tackle. Cannon played 1,000-plus snaps three times in his final four years.

But there was no guarantee Cannon would play this season, although he had indicated that to the team. He was one of the lone opt-outs not to report to Foxboro for a physical, due to Covid concerns. Cannon was born and raised in Texas, and the trade to the Texans makes it easier for all involved. Cannon can drive to Houston.

What now for the line?

The Patriots still have the ability to go with the best five on the line, but I would think they start here:

LT Isaiah Wynn, LG Mike Onwenu, C David Andrews (FA), RG Shaq Mason, RT Trent Brown.

If Wynn struggles or gets injured again, Brown gives the Patriots much better cover at LT and Justin Herron or someone else can slide into RT and minimize the shuffling.

That's the upside of Brown. His play in general is not an upgrade over Cannon, especially given Brown's professionalism playing for anyone other than Dante Scarnecchia.