The New England Patriots are looking to upgrade at several positions, and with the trade deadline rapidly approaching they've been linked with a number of talented players. While Larry Fitzgerald is still the name at the top of New England's wishlist, they've been exploring deals for several other players as well.
The latest on Larry Fitzgerald to the Patriots
If both New England and Arizona had lost on Sunday, the odds of this trade happening would have doubled, but both teams winning put a bit of a damper on discussions. The Cardinals can't decide whether or not getting a few picks will be worth the inevitable backlash that comes with trading your best player, and although Arizona's rebuilding efforts are imminent, they're still holding out hope that Fitzgerald will still be a productive asset when that process finishes.
Arizona publicly maintains that they want Fitzgerald to retire a Cardinal, but they'll consider serious offers. Whether New England is willing to meet the asking price (a first round draft pick + more) is another story.
Could the Patriots land Kenny Britt from the Titans?
Since Jake Locker went down with a hip injury in week 4, Tennessee's come crashing down to earth after a surprising start. Teams trying to make the leap from mediocre to good need to cash in on expendable assets while they can, and that's just what they're trying to do by shopping WR Kenny Britt around. Britt hasn't looked like himself so far this year, and the Titans are hoping to find a team willing to give up a pick or two for a high-potential player who's just 25 years old.
Britt is a classic Belichick project—he's a player with immense talent who can't get his head right or stay out of trouble. The Titans are publicly and privately open to moving Britt, who only has eight catches for 67 yards so far this season. Britt came back from a 2011 ACL tear to put up 589 yards and four touchdowns in 2012, so his issues this season aren't physical. A change of scenery (and quarterback) could be just what Britt needs to get back on track, and the Patriots are in dire need of another playmaker in their receiving corps. This is a match made in Foxborough, and we think that if the Patriots give up on landing Fitzgerald, Britt will be the next name on their list.
Is Broncos linebacker Von Miller on New England's radar?
Von Miller was arguably the best linebacker in the NFL last season, but a tumultuous 2013 has seen Miller's stock falling fast. Miller was suspended for six games for trying to cheat a drug test, and Miller's disregard for the rules has opened up the Broncos front office to the possibility of a trade. Denver is trying to cultivate a clean, positive culture, and Bryant's issues (Miller has been hit with three driving-related charges in the last 12, months, and showed up two hours late for a court appearance Monday) have made him expendable.
The Patriots have never shied away from players with legal issues, and it sounds like they're willing to roll the dice on Miller if Denver lowers their asking price (over the summer, we heard Miller could go for a first-rounder, but we think a second and a third would be enough now). While getting a wide receiver is New England's number one priority right now, the Pats are also interested in upgrading their front seven. Last season, the Patriots were able to massively upgrade their secondary by trading for Aqib Talib at the deadline—will they do the same for their front seven this year by bringing Miller to New England?
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