As Giardi discussed on Saturday, the NFL trade deadline is a week from Tuesday (Nov. 10, 4 p.m.). We've already seen some big moves around the league.
It's unlikely the Patriots will make a major deal, and I don't think they need to in order to compete for a Super Bowl title. While the Patriots' current injury situation is not ideal — and 180 degrees different than last season (that was predictable) — they are going to get a lot of players back with a lot of ballgame left, including some very challenging games (Bills, Vikings, at Chiefs, vs. Broncos) to prep/make their postseason push.
It's true the Patriots restructured the contract of Hunter Henry to boost their cap space to $5,245,520, but that doesn't necessarily mean a deal is in the offing. With less than $2 million in cap space before that, the Patriots were going to need more room just to finish the season with incentives, per-game roster bonuses, and adding players to the bottom of the roster. If the Patriots restructure, say, Milton Williams, that could signal they're at least considering something bigger. I would think they would do that anyway. The current cap space is barely enough to cover a very minor move, and the rest of the operating expenses.
Where could the Patriots use some help? Let's rank where the Patriots need the most help, factoring in what they have on the roster. I see two positions where they don't have a viable NFL-ready option. And you will see that running back and wide receiver are way down my list.
To help facilitate a trade, I would be willing to include Christian Barmore (Albert Breer reports he's on the block), TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams to lower the draft pick compensation.
Nose tackle
Projected depth chart 12/1:
(None)
Cory Durden
The skinny: Since the Patriots cheaped out on Khyiris Tonga, they don't have anyone who can stand up to double teams. That's been an issue against better teams, and it will be an issue in the postseason. They don't have anyone in the pipeline that can do this job. To be a complete defense, the Patriots desperately need a real nose tackle. Durden is being asked to do it, and it's not one of his strengths. It's not his fault he's playing out of position.
Names to know (and we're being logical, not wasting time with pipe dreams):