Patriots mailbag: Two potential targets ahead of NFL trade deadline

The Patriots are in a surprising position entering Week 7: atop the AFC East standings after the Bills’ surprising loss to the Falcons on Monday night. It’s still too early to plan any postseason travel, but the Patriots’ unanticipated early-season success should have them calling the league’s basement dwellers ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Excitement ahead of the trade deadline will only pick up if the Patriots can string together more wins against the Titans, Browns and Falcons. Patriots fans want to know who the team could trade for. Let’s answer that and more in this week’s Patriots mailbag. Related Articles Film review: The Patriots’ 1 big flaw and how Drake Maye keeps improving Patriots coach Mike Vrabel reacts to facing Titans for first time since firing How Mike Vrabel reacted to officiating in Patriots’ win over Saints How Patriots’ Drake Maye impressed Mike Vrabel before Saints win Callahan: Mike Vrabel’s Patriots pass another big test as rising playoff contenders @jacktwts: Why has the run game been so poor thus far? Based on the OL grades being much improved from last year, it seems like blame lies at the feet of the RB room, correct? I know this isn’t the most satisfying answer, but I think it’s multi-faceted. The Patriots’ offensive linemen are allowing too many run-stuffs and aren’t holding their blocks long enough. They still rank seventh in ESPN’s run block win rate metric, however. The Patriots’ running backs aren’t being decisive enough when there are rushing lanes. Running back TreVeyon Henderson ranks last in rush yards over expected per attempt at 1.21. Rhamondre Stevenson ranks ninth-lowest at -0.25. Both backs also rank below average in yards after contact per attempt. And I think the Patriots’ offensive play-calling can be too predictable based on personnel and formation. So, where does that leave us? I don’t see the Patriots making any significant changes to the offensive line while they’re winning. Left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Jared Wilson, center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses are protecting Drake Maye well enough. The only possible change the could make would be to replace Wilson with Ben Brown. I don’t know if that would make a significant difference. I think the Patriots should at least explore adding another running back. @akvvt: Doug can you give two trade candidates (1d, 1o) the patriots should think about. I think running back and edge defender are the Patriots’ two biggest current needs. Let’s aim high at both spots. Adding depth to the Patriots’ roster would help, but it feels like they’re a piece away on offense and defense to truly being a signifcant contributor. ESPN’s Mike Reiss mentioned it Tuesday morning, but I think it would be worth reaching out to the Jets to see if Breece Hall is available. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract, and he might be able to add some explosiveness to the offense. If you just want one name on defense, it would be the obvious one: Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. I don’t know if the Dolphins would be willing to trade in-division, but Jaelan Phillips could also make an impact on the edge. @brianknowsball: do we have to start worrying abt treyveon being a bust? or is it the oline It’s definitely too early to say that Henderson is a bust. But I think it’s fair to say he’s been a slight disappointment based on what we saw from him this summer. It’s actually pretty shocking, given his speed, that his longest plays have been a 15-yard catch and 14-yard run. I don’t know if the answer is to give him more touches either. He hasn’t been very effective with just 4.3 yards per touch, and he’s still having some struggles in pass protection. I think you just keep using him until he eventually breaks out, but it’s been tough sledding for him in the first six games of his career. @proudblackmatt: 6 weeks in, who was the best free agent signing? There are a lot of options. Stefon Diggs, Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane and Khyris Tonga have all been as good or better than expected. And Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury, Carlton Davis, Mack Hollins and K’Lavon Chaisson have been solid, as well. I guess I’ll go with Diggs, but Williams is a very close second. Diggs has just been significantly ahead of where anyone would have expected less than a year removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL. @nickvanhoof6: Why is carlton davis so bad You know the Patriots are good again when their fans are complaining about cornerback play. Davis is allowing 2.5 catches and 29 yards per game. He has four penalties, so you’d like to get that cleaned up, but I’m totally fine with 2.5 catches and 29 yards per game for your No. 2 cornerback who had to play as the top cornerback for three weeks while Christian Gonzalez was out. Since Gonzalez returned, Davis has allowed just 22.7 yards per game. Maybe expectations were too high? But I haven’t seen Davis being a problem through six weeks. @galleanisto: This start has us daydreaming about playoffs in a conference that feels wide open. As of right now, schedule and projections aside, where would you rank the Patriots among the contenders for the AFC crown? Vegas currently has them ninth in AFC Super Bowl odds behind the Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Colts, Broncos, Ravens, Steelers and Jaguars at 20-1. Their current win total over/under is at 10.5, and their odds to win the AFC East are +185. Listen, I don’t think the Patriots are going to make the Super Bowl, but I’d put them behind the Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Colts and Steelers and at least even with the Broncos, Ravens and Jaguars. @christie_fin: How does the current record shift your mindset going into the trade deadline ? Or is it short sighted to change/ rush the pre season plan I would be more aggressive. Drake Maye is on a rookie contract. Obviously, injuries could affect things, but the Patriots’ schedule is so easy that they can continue to steal wins and move up the conference standings. If adding pieces at running back and outside linebacker would help them compete with some of the tougher teams left on their schedule, then it seems worthy to give up some draft capital, as long as it’s not a first-round pick.