The Patriots are 6-2, riding a five-game winning streak, and the NFL [trade deadline](https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/10/15/patriots-4-2-record-wont-dictate-nfl-trade-deadline-approach/) is just around the corner on Nov. 3.
It’s an exciting time to be following football in New England.
Let’s get straight into this week’s Patriots mailbag to answer your questions.
#### @JRandyyPro: From a cap space and draft capital view point, would it make sense for the Patriots to try and trade for Myles Garrett?
Let’s break this down.
From a cap perspective, yes, it absolutely makes sense for the Patriots to try to trade for Myles Garrett, but not so much for the Browns.
Garrett just signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns, but an acquiring team would essentially be inheriting a four-year, $52 million deal when you remove the signing bonus (which the Browns have already paid) and 2028 and 2029 salaries of $38 million, of which only $800k is guaranteed.
The Browns would take on massive amounts of dead cap. They would save $2.255 million in cap savings this year but they would inherit $67.89 million in dead cap next season, and they’re already over the cap in 2026.
So, acquiring Garrett in a trade is extremely unlikely. It would also likely require at least two first-round picks, so the Patriots would need to be convinced they can win a Super Bowl during the course of Drake Maye’s rookie season.
#### @MackDonahue: Do you see this Patriots squad as a true contender, or a beneficiary of a weaker schedule and a Super Bowl “pretender”?
The Patriots have absolutely benefitted from a weaker schedule, but they also beat the Bills in Buffalo and have trounced teams in three of their last five wins, including two straight against the Titans and Browns.
And yes, the opponents on the Patriots’ schedule are weak, but they also won three straight games on the road.
It’s still tough to say the Patriots are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, however. They currently have the 14th-best odds to win the Super Bowl, which seems low for a team with the AFC’s second-best record. But they’ll have to keep up this torrid pace and continue to avoid serious injuries.
Let’s wait a bit before calling them championship contenders.
#### @Hangin\_Banners: How many trades can one team realistically pull off at the deadline? And if we’re looking at just 1 impact move…what is your preferred position to address?
Even one addition at the deadline is typically unlikely for an NFL team, though the Patriots have dealt away two players in Keion White and Kyle Dugger. So, I’d realistically put the over/under at .5 more trades for the Patriots.
The one position I would address is edge defender. I would still prefer to add a starting-caliber outside linebacker and bump K’Lavon Chaisson back into a situational/rotational role.
The Patriots clearly aren’t too excited about their depth on the edge. Anfernee Jennings was a healthy scratch against the Titans in Week 7, and Keion White, now traded, was a healthy scratch in Sunday’s win over the Saints. Elijah Ponder is still a rookie, Caleb Murphy just joined the team last week, and Milton Williams and Jahlani Tavai’s best positions are at defensive tackle and off-ball linebacker, respectively.
So, I’d be looking at some of the Dolphins and Jets edge defenders, if those teams are willing to make deals within the division. Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson could all help this team. Phillips, McDonald and Johnson would all provide some upside, as well.
#### @NESportsFellow: Do you think we see Kyle Williams used more at all?
For now, there’s really no reason to. I know that might stink to hear for all of the Kyle Williams enthusiasts out there, but the Patriots already have four good wide receivers in Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas, two solid tight ends in Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper and two running backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield in Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
What role is Williams going to play that those players aren’t already filling? Who do you want to take off the field for Williams?
Williams’ best attribute is his speed and downfield ability. Boutte is currently the best deep-ball receiver in the NFL. Boutte has a 99.9 PFF receiving grade on deep balls and a 90% catch rate with nine receptions on 10 targets for 236 yards with five touchdowns.
#### @JBoss\_: Would you describe Mapu as an essential player for this defense given he’s the only speed player they have at the LB level?
The Patriots don’t seem to view him that way, which is what really matters.
He was on the field for just one defensive play in Week 8, when he got picked and allowed a first-down reception to Browns tight end Harold Fannin.
Mapu got the short end of the linebacker rotation behind Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai in Week 8.
#### @KStandleyMedia: With Kayshon Boutte eligible for an extension after this season, what sort of contract do you think the Patriots would have to sign him to in order to avoid him leaving as a FA in 2027? #MailDoug
That’s really hard to say, because there aren’t many great comps for a player like Boutte.
Jameson Williams signed a three-year, $80 million dollar deal with the Lions while coming off of a 1,000-yard season, but he was also a first-round pick.
Khalil Shakir signed a four-year, $53 million deal and had a pretty similar career trajectory to Boutte. Boutte is a more explosive player, however.
I think it would have to exceed Shakir’s deal but top out around $20 million per year.
#### @Patsfan19838268: If you were to rank all of the seasons you have covered for the patriots, where would this season rank at the mid season mark for excitement?
I think still probably below the 2015-to-2019 era, just because those teams were so loaded, and after the 2014 Super Bowl win, I think fans knew they could win again any given year.
But probably right below that era.