If spring practices taught us anything, it’s that the New England Patriots should look to improve their roster before training camp begins on July 24. Their roster might be slightly better than many believe, but glaring holes remain.
The Patriots could turn toward free agency, a subject we covered earlier this week. But good players could also still be found on the trade market, including a few who are among the best at their respective positions.
Let’s look at some players who could make sense as potential Patriots trade targets.
5 Potential Patriots Trade Targets Ahead of Training Camp
WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
New England’s receiving corps has a higher ceiling than advertised, but the floor is low. And the Patriots are leaning heavily on a pair of rookies, a diminutive second-year slot, and a pair of No. 3 receivers in K.J. Osborn and Kendrick Bourne.
Adding a player like Brandon Aiyuk would change the complexity of the Patriots overnight while enabling fans to squint and see a playoff team. Plus, New England still needs to find a true No. 1 receiver to pair with rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Aiyuk, who wants a new contract, insists he wants to stay in San Francisco but walks, talks, and acts like someone trying to force a trade. He even floated a pair of potential destinations.
The Patriots reportedly pursued an Aiyuk trade during the 2024 NFL Draft, and they remain a team to watch as rumors surround the 26-year-old wideout.
WR Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton attended mandatory minicamp but could still hold out of training camp as he looks for a new contract. The Broncos have maintained they want to keep Sutton in Denver, but it’s fair to wonder whether this story could end in a trade.
Sutton isn’t as good as Aiyuk, who posted 1,000+ yards and 7+ touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. But the 28-year-old is a very good boundary receiver who’s eclipsed 700 yards in all but one of his seasons, including a 1,112-yard campaign in 2019.
Sutton wouldn’t cost the Patriots nearly as much in trade compensation or extension dollars. He’d be a good fit.
CB Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
New England has a sneaky-big need at outside cornerback. Sophomore Christian Gonzalez is entrenched as the No. 1 option, but he missed most of his rookie season due to an injury and still has much to prove.
On the other side, Jonathan Jones will turn 31 in August and is recovering from an offseason knee procedure. The options behind him are a mediocre blend of inexperience and backup-level talent.
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That brings us to Marshon Lattimore, who wants a new contract and isn’t guaranteed any money in 2025 and 2026. The Saints have pushed back against trade speculation, but rumors persist.
Lattimore is a premier cornerback who wouldn’t come cheap. But, if they acquired him, the Patriots would field one of the best cornerback duos in football.
OT Cam Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Patriots are high on Chuks Okorafor, whom they believe can play left tackle even though he played right tackle the last four seasons and spent half of 2023 on the bench. New England’s other options are swing tackles Calvin Anderson and Vederian Lowe, and rookie Caedan Wallace, whom many believe is best suited at RT.
Most teams aren’t interested in trading starting left tackles since they’re in short supply around the league, and every franchise needs one. But Cam Robinson could be a trade candidate, as he’s entering a non-guaranteed contract season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have other options.
Robinson isn’t great — he’s never finished higher than 44th on Pro Football Focus‘ tackle rankings — but he’d be a plug-and-play starter at LT for the Patriots. New England can’t afford to have a disaster at left tackle for the third straight season, and protecting Maye’s blindside must be a top priority.
OL Walker Little, Jacksonville Jaguars
Yes, we’re going with another Jaguars offensive lineman.
A second-round pick in 2021, Walker Little hasn’t earned a consistent role in Jacksonville. That could change in the near future, especially if the Jags deal someone like Robinson, but Little currently projects to open the season on the bench.
That’s not to say Little is a bad player. He’s only started 17 games, but he’s largely impressed when given opportunities. He also can play both tackle and guard.
KEEP READING: 7 Free Agents the Patriots Should Target Ahead of Training Camp
Little would be a low-risk, high-reward acquisition for the Patriots, who could bring him along slowly during camp. And if he doesn’t prove himself at tackle, Little could provide high-level depth at either guard spot, something the Patriots need.
Little is entering the final season of his rookie contract, making him a prime trade candidate. It wouldn’t be a blockbuster move for the Patriots, but it would make sense on multiple levels.