The New England Patriots are leading the AFC East heading into Sunday of Week 9.
They may have arrived just a bit ahead of schedule, but now isn't the time to rest on their laurels, either. The NFL trade deadline is coming on Nov. 4, and this is a final chance to improve the roster.
An intriguing position of need suggested by ESPN's Bill Barnwell is running back.
He cites three simple reasons that the Pats could use a new RB:
Antonio Gibson is injured and out for the year.
Rhamondre Stevenson keeps fumbling.
TreVeyon Henderson has underwhelmed in pass protection.
Barnwell doesn't suggest a big splash move. The Pats wouldn't be likely to try and get Jets star Breece Hall, for example.
But a small addition to the RB depth chart could help in the long run.
"A move for a back who could play a handful of snaps per game as the third option in the lineup wouldn't be shocking," Barnwell writes.
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Interestingly, the Patriots have already traded two players away. Safety Kyle Dugger and defensive end Keion White were both shipped out earlier this week. But those both look like moves of Mike Vrabel getting rid of guys who were inherited and weren't a big part of his current plans.
Barnwell actually thinks New England stands to upgrade at both those positions they just subtracted from, too.
The Patriots likely will make subtle moves and not headline-grabbing ones before the deadline, but every little bit counts for a team trying to maintain its rapid ascendency.
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