The New England Patriots have had an excellent offseason, focusing on defense and depth. With the most cap space entering the offseason, they've been aggressive in adding players like Carlton Davis, Milton Williams, and Mack Hollins.
With most of their spending likely done, the team will shift its focus to the draft and trade market to continue building. While they've addressed many needs, two glaring holes remain.
New England still need a No. 1 wide receiver, and despite some additions, the left side of its offensive line has yet to be solidified. The 2025 NFL Draft could provide help, but the uncertainty of who will be available makes it difficult to predict whether the team will find the right pieces.
As a result, this is where a new trade proposal could be the answer. The Patriots would land Chris Olave, Taliese Fuaga, and the ninth overall pick from the New Orleans Saints. The move would give New England a proven number-one wide receiver, a young and talented left tackle, and allow them to stay in the first round of the draft.
In return, the Saints would acquire a mix of Christian Barmore, Joe Milton, Alex Austin, or Marcus Jones, depending on their needs and who they're willing to trade. New England would likely part with one or two players but not all four.
Depending on the round, the Saints would also receive the Patriots' fourth overall pick, along with two to four additional picks from New England. The Patriots have a surplus of draft picks and could afford to part with some to compensate for the loss in depth.
Though giving up Barmore would be difficult, the Patriots have added depth to their defensive line and can find other ways to replace him. Similarly, the signing of Josh Dobbs to a two-year deal removes any hesitation in moving Milton.
As for Marcus Jones or Alex Austin, the Patriots were already thin at cornerback and were expected to draft at least one more in the upcoming draft. This trade might elevate the round they select a cornerback, but finding a talented one remains achievable, especially with the Saints' first-round pick.
With the ninth overall pick, New England could select someone like Will Johnson from Michigan or Jahdae Barron from Texas, and in the later rounds, they could target players like Cobee Bryant from Kansas or Brandon Adams from UCF. This would leave them just as strong, if not stronger, at cornerback.
From the Saints' perspective, this trade makes sense for several reasons. Their biggest needs are cornerback and defensive line, and while their quarterback room isn't solidified, they have an opportunity to address those areas with New England's players.
The Saints aren't in a win-now situation, so trading talent for additional players and draft capital fits their rebuilding strategy. By acquiring the Patriots' fourth pick and multiple others, New Orleans could rebuild their roster and replenish the pieces they've lost.
With the fourth overall pick, the Saints could target players like Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillian, Abdul Carter, or Will Campbell to address their remaining gaps. Additional picks could allow them to select players such as Maxwell Hariston, Benjamin Morrison, Luther Burden, Xavier Restrepo, Tyler Booker, or Josh Conerly Jr., further solidifying their team.
This trade makes sense for both sides. The Patriots, further along in their rebuilding process, would move closer to competing for a wild card spot, while the Saints would gain valuable assets to fuel their rebuild and position themselves for future success.
Exploring a trade like this for New England could be the key to competing in the 2025 NFL season.
Related: Patriots' $104 Million Signing Details Chaotic Free Agency Period
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This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
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