The NFL trade deadline came and went without the Patriots making a move.
Mike Vrabel’s team entered this week with some obvious holes on its roster, and despite some rumors, the Patriots stood pat on Tuesday.
At 7-2, the team entered the week at the top of the AFC East and tied with Indianapolis and Denver for the best record in the conference.
In Vrabel’s first season as head coach, the Patriots have already surpassed expectations after two 4-win seasons. Considering they’re in a position to make the playoffs, many thought the team would add depth by Tuesday’s deadline.
Instead, the Patriots sold, trading away two veterans last week with Kyle Dugger shipped to Pittsburgh and Keion White sent to San Francisco. Each deal, which included a seventh-round pick, brought the Patriots two sixth-round picks.
The team’s lone transaction on Tuesday was the signing of receiver Brenden Rice to the practice squad.
Heading into the deadline, running back was considered one of the top needs for the Patriots. The team lost veteran running back Antonio Gibson earlier this season due to a knee injury. Starter Rhamondre Stevenson is also dealing with a toe injury, which forced him to miss Sunday’s win over Atlanta.
Without Stevenson, the Patriots leaned on rookie TreVeyon Henderson (55 rushing yards, 32 receiving) and second-year player Terrell Jennings (35 rushing yards and a touchdown). The team ran for 110 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
The Patriots also signed three new backs to their practice squad last week: D’Ernest Johnson, Jonathan Ward, and Rushawn Baker.
On defense, the biggest area of need for the Patriots was at edge rusher. After trading White, the Patriots depth behind starters Harold Landry (5.5 sacks) and K’Lavon Chaisson (5.5) was thinned. The team’s top backup is veteran Anfernee Jennings (1 sack) and undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder.
Now, the Patriots will move forward with the roster assembled this offseason. They have a big matchup this weekend against the 6-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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