FOXBOROUGH – The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching. If the Patriots want to improve their roster, they’ll have to act by Nov. 4 at 4 p.m.
At the moment, Mike Vrabel’s Patriots team has surpassed expectations. It took the new head coach seven weeks to surpass the team’s win totals from the last two seasons. At 5-2, the Patriots find themselves at the top of the AFC East with the No. 2 seed in the conference.
Of course, there’s still plenty of time to go before we get a realistic sense of the playoff picture.
Considering the Patriots schedule, the playoffs don’t seem like a pipe dream. If anything, Vrabel’s squad has a good chance to be the first Patriots team in the playoffs since 2021. That’s why the team should be aggressive in adding depth to its roster.
A strong free agent class and rookie class have made this Patriots team more competitive than we’ve seen in New England in years. However, the team still lacks depth in some areas.
The Patriots could look to add players who are connected with the team’s coaching staff. Here’s a look at some good fits:
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, October 12, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half of play at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Jermone Ford, running back, Cleveland
The Patriots could use more depth at running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Jerome Ford would be a cost-effective option. The 26-year-old ran for a career-high 813 yards in 2023 when Cleveland lost Nick Chubb for the season. He was a solid backup last year, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He’s also caught 101 career passes. This year, he’s buried on the depth chart and has 21 carries for 73 yards.
Vrabel was in Cleveland with Ford last year, so the head coach has some familiarity with the running back.
Detroit Lions host Tennessee Titans
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Arden Key (49) as the Detroit Lions host the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27 2024.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Arden Key, edge rusher, Tennessee
The Patriots have two stout edge rushers with Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson, but lack depth beyond that. Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, and Elijah Ponder have all dealt with injuries this season. The team could add someone like Key. The 29-year-old was in Tennessee with Vrabel and his Titans staff. That year, he finished with six sacks. Key would add better depth behind Landry and Chaisson.
Key finished with 6.5 sacks last year. The veteran has 1.5 sacks in five games this season.
Steelers Jets Football
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)AP
Breece Hall, running back, New York Jets
If the Patriots are looking for an expensive option at running back, they could look in the division. Breece Hall might be the best running back available on the trade market. The 24-year-old ran for 994 yards in 2023. That year, he also had 76 catches for 591 yards. Hall’s in a contract year, and the Jets are in the beginning stages of a rebuild.
Would the Jets really trade him to the Patriots? There is a connection here with running back coach Tony Dews, who was Hall’s running backs coach last year in New York.
Jakobi Meyers
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)AP
Jakobi Meyers, receiver, Las Vegas
The one who got away, Jakobi Meyers, was a very efficient receiver for the Patriots from 2019 to 2022. He wrapped up his time in New England with back-to-back 800-yard seasons. The Patriots haven’t had a receiver finish with a 700-yard season since Meyers left. Now, the veteran wants out of Las Vegas. Coming off a 1,000-yard season, he would add nice depth to the Patriots next to Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte.
Josh McDaniels knows Meyers well, and he would have no problem fitting into the offense.
Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary (21) celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 10, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary (21) celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 10, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Roger McCreary, cornerback, Tennessee
The Patriots have a nice starting unit with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones. They could use more depth behind them. At the moment, the top backup cornerback has been Charles Woods, who surpassed Alex Austin on the depth chart. The Patriots have also been using their practice squad to add another cornerback to the game-day roster.
McCreary was drafted by the Titans when Vrabel was the head coach. He started his first two seasons for Vrabel’s defense. McCreary would provide upgraded depth for the Patriots.
Eagles Giants Football
Philadelphia Eagles' A.J. Brown tries to get past New York Giants' Paulson Adebo during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)AP
A.J. Brown, receiver, Philadelphia
One can dream. Brown was devastated in 2019 when the Patriots drafted N’Keal Harry instead of him. The receiver was drafted by Vrabel’s Titans and spent his first three years as Tennessee’s No. 1 receiver. Vrabel was unhappy when Brown was traded to Philadelphia in 2022. Could they reunite?
Brown hasn’t been as efficient in the Eagles’ offense this season. There have been visible signs of frustration. It’d be a surprise if Philadelphia traded Brown while trying to win another championship, but a combination of him, Diggs, and Boutte would be dynamic.
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