The New England Patriots are, outside of possibly the Indianapolis Colts, the biggest surprise in the NFL so far this season. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for them, especially since quarterback Drake Maye is only in his first full season as a starter, but instead, they have been winning games in bunches.
After losing in Week 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, they have won six of their last seven games and six in a row. They’re eighth in scoring and fourth in points allowed, and they haven’t allowed more than 20 points since Week 3. Improbably, they enter Sunday in first place in the AFC East.
There is an argument to be made that the Patriots don’t need to be active on the trade market because they’re ahead of schedule when it comes to their rebuilding process. But another argument could be made that they should be aggressive ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline in order to give them a shot at doing something special this winter.
Kay Adams said on “Up & Adams” that New England should go after Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins and Alvin Kamara of the New England Saints via trade.
“You could make the argument they are not a piece away from making a Super Bowl run, I’m gonna say to that ‘Why the hell not?’
“… If the Pats make an aggressive offer, Miami has to at least think about it. And while the Pats don’t necessarily need a No. 1 (wide receiver) because [Stefon] Diggs had been that guy, I think Jaylen [Waddle] would be such a good complement because of what he can do with the ball.
“… Another target that I’m eyeing says he wants to stay where he is: Alvin Kamara.”
Diggs, who is nearing his 32nd birthday, has bounced back thus far from a subpar 2024. While he may not be the huge threat he was a few years ago with the Buffalo Bills, he does have 42 catches for 470 yards through eight games.
Waddle, who will turn 27 later this month, would be an excellent heir apparent to Diggs. He has collected 586 yards and four touchdowns in nine games this year, and with Miami likely going nowhere, there is always a chance he could get moved if the price is right.
With Maye leading everyone in pass completion percentage and ranking second in passer rating, he could form a fantastic partnership with Waddle right away and for years to come.
Kamara is 30 years of age and perhaps in slow decline, as his production has fallen off so far this year. But as Adams pointed out, he’s a dual-threat RB who can line up at wide receiver and make coach Mike Vrabel’s offense a little more unpredictable.
The Saints have the worst record in the NFC at 1-7 and aren’t going to be competitive anytime soon, so perhaps they could be persuaded to part with Kamara. But would New England give up enough to get him, considering how much mileage he has?
