After winning just four games last season, the New England Patriots have arrived as a full-fledged threat in the AFC East. Leading the division ahead of the Buffalo Bills, they have been bolstered by an MVP-caliber jump from quarterback Drake Maye.

However, a sophomore quarterback cannot be the only difference maker on a team now trying to elevate into Super Bowl contention, especially as the competition improves going into the playoffs. As a result, one analyst believes they should try to target a game-breaking trade piece on the other side of the football as well.

New England Patriots Could Take Massive Swing on Defense

While the offense, even though it is feeding on some bottom feeders, has drawn rave reviews, the same cannot be said for the New England defense. Ranked 12th on PFSN’s Defense Impact, it hasn’t been able to win games for them.

While the personnel improvements over the offseason have started showing signs of life, with head coach Mike Vrabel starting to instill his philosophy on the roster, it will take time for the unit to turn into one worthy of a contender.

As the franchise is clearly ahead of schedule, Ayden Stroupe of PFSN believes the team could look to target Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals, even if it costs them a first-round pick.

The disgruntled superstar who led the league in sacks last season did not get a contract extension from the Bengals. Instead, they reworked his deal to give him $29 million for the 2025 season.

With other star edge rushers like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, T.J. Watt, and Micah Parsons all getting blockbuster extensions, Hendrickson will be chasing the money, which could prompt the Bengals to trade him away.

“For New England, this would be the most aggressive move possible and one that could change the makeup of the defense overnight. A trio of Hendrickson, Harold Landry III, and K’Lavon Chaisson would instantly become one of the most dangerous edge rotations in football.”

All three rank within the top 45 of the league on PFSN’s EDGE Impact, with Hendrickson, after a slow start to the season with just four sacks through eight weeks, the last among the three at 42nd.

But on a defensive line that would be far more diverse than the one currently in Cincinnati, the opportunities for the four-time Pro Bowler to go hunting could increase exponentially.

However, the biggest hurdle would be the cost, both in what an extension could look like for a 30-year-old and the draft premium they would have to part with. If the Patriots can stomach moving on from a first-round pick, then the move is an instant no-brainer.