The New England Patriots are in an awkward position that this franchise isn't used to. This looks like one of the worst teams in the NFL. While many had lower expectations for the Patriots coming into the season, nobody thought it would go this bad. So far, the Patriots have one win. It was against a Jets team that was trying to build a new offense on the fly around Zach Wilson.
After last week's embarrassment at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, the Patriots need to take a hard look in the mirror. If this team is as bad as its record and its play says, they need to sell. This team hasn't sold in the traditional sense since Tom Brady became the starter in 2001. If things don't turn around incredibly quickly, the Patriots will have hard decisions to make.
That includes an active trade deadline and possibly outright cutting players who no longer fit and might fit somewhere else. There are some complications here. Bill Belichick might be fighting for his job. It's wild to think about a six-time Super Bowl winner on the hot seat, but it's true. That could have them making extreme moves to save the season (like, say, trading for a disgruntled J.C. Jackson). Still, there are some current Patriots who will become former Patriots before Christmas.
4. Kendrick Bourne - Wide Receiver
Kendrick Bourne has had such a strange career in New England. After the spending spree that was the 2021 offseason, Bourne looked like the best move the team made. He had a career-high 55 completions and 800 yards in his first year in New England. Since then, it's been a disaster.
Last season, Bourne was seemingly in Matt Patricia's doghouse the entire season. He wasn't getting deep targets. The offense seemed to treat him like a fourth or fifth receiver. He finished the season with worse numbers everywhere. The big plays weren't there. His place in the offense was replaced. Also, Mac Jones regressed.
This season, Bourne looks better, but he still isn't the guy from the first year in New England. Jones regressed again this season, and he can't physically get the ball downfield to Bourne, even if he's open. The Patriots should find a team for Bourne where he actually fits. A team would trade for him, and the Patriots can start to recoup assets.
3. Jabrill Peppers - Strong Safety
This one will hurt a little more, as the Patriots do like having Jabrill Peppers in the defense and special teams. He's become a leader, and Belichick had high praise since the offseason. This might be Peppers' best season as a pro. This is a former first-round pick that had high hopes coming out of the University of Michigan. The Patriots are getting everything out of this jack of all trades.
Yet, the Patriots have to be realistic. Peppers is a playoff-type player. The Patriots are never going to make the playoffs with him on the roster. It's just a fact. This could be a complete teardown situation. Peppers could get the Patriots a decent draft pick in the trade market. He has the unique ability to fit quickly into new defenses. Teams will value that.
Peppers is still just 28 years old. He's young enough to have another five good years in the NFL. Maybe the Patriots talk themselves into keeping him for those five years.
When it comes to defensive pieces, Peppers might be the most valuable on the open market the Patriots are willing to trade. Obviously, a player like Christian Gonzalez or Christian Barmore could get more, but the Patriots are holding onto them. Matthew Judon would get them more, but he's hurt right now. Peppers is the best piece to get a decent pick in next year's draft.
2. Will Grier - Quarterback
Will Grier is one of the newest players on the Patriots roster. He arrived from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad a few weeks ago. Now, he's the Patriots number three behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. After the Patriots benched Jones during last week's drubbing, the questions surrounding the quarterback position are as loud as ever. Everyone can get into the conversation, including Grier.
However, there's a better option on the Patriots roster. Malik Cunningham looked like a stud in the preseason. Yes, we know, it's the preseason. However, Cunningham had actual talent that translated. The Patriots are still trying to figure out the quarterback of the future. They seem to like Grier, but he's not the future.
The Patriots have to figure out who is the future. Jones is 25 years old. Zappe is 24 years old. Cunningham is a 25-year-old rookie. This is why adding a 28-year-old to the mix doesn't make a ton of sense if the Patriots are looking toward the future.
Unlike the others on this list, this is probably the one the Patriots outright cut. Grier is a third quarterback in this league. He's been given a chance to start, and it didn't go well. The Patriots will be forced to make a quarterback decision, which will lead to them moving on from Grier.
1. Jalen Reagor - Wide Receiver
Did you know that former first-round pick Jalen Reagor (who the Eagles took one pick before Justin Jefferson) is on the New England Patriots now? He's on their practice squad after the Patriots signed him on August 31st. He joined them very late in training camp, and now he's trying to work his way onto the NFL team.
Reagor at some point will want to make the NFL roster, but that will only get harder as time goes on. Even if the Patriots trade Bourne like we suggested earlier, there's not really room for Reagor. Right now, the Patriots have Bourne, DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Kayshon Boutte on the roster. They have Tre Nixon and Tyquan Thornton on the IR, and they will return eventually.
We don't think Reagor will make a stink, but it will just be a decision the team makes. It happens all the time with practice squad players. They come in and out sometimes during the season. Reagor seems like he's always going to be on the chopping block, and eventually it will come for him.
There could be some surprises that go from this roster. They could be hard sellers and everything that isn't bolted to Gillette Stadium could be out the door. For now, these are the pieces that make sense to wear another jersey by Week 10.
