The New England Patriots potentially swinging a blockbuster trade will be the talk of the offseason. That’s what happens when you’re loaded to the gills in cap space with one of the worst rosters in the league.
So it’s no surprise that Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt is being mentioned on social media as a potential trade option for the Patriots.
The Steelers haven’t mentioned Watt even being on the trade block, but considering the state of the team, one has to wonder if the right offer could pry the former Defensive Player of the Year from their black and gold clutches.
New England clearly needs an edge rusher. They desperately need a defensive disruptor up front to pressure opposing quarterbacks and open up opportunities for other playmakers. An argument could be made that nobody is better at that job than Watt.
But at 30 years old and likely with a high price tag, does a player like Watt make sense for the Patriots at this current juncture? Do the Patriots make sense for Watt?
The easy answer to both of those questions is no.
Forking over significant draft compensation and a big-money contract isn’t ideal for a player closer to the end of his career than the beginning. That isn’t to say Watt can’t have two or even three more years of greatness. But it would make more sense for the Patriots to use those assets on younger players capable of becoming franchise cornerstones for the team.
As for Watt, it would probably be a huge disappointment for him to leave Pittsburgh for a rebuilding team without the pieces in place to contend right away.
A better option for the Patriots would be waiting until the 2025 NFL draft and taking Penn State’s All-American defensive end Abdul Carter.
There are some scary similarities between Carter and Dallas Cowboys star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, other than the fact that they both attended Penn State. Carter is a dominant edge player with the rare ability to take over a game by wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield.
Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Cam Ward are expected to be the first three names taken off the draft board, leaving Carter to fall into the awaiting arms of the Patriots.
Granted, there’s always a chance that Carter’s name continues to rise in the draft, and he’s taken earlier than expected. That could instead create a situation where Hunter falls to the Patriots.
Another top-tier cornerback is also a major need for the team. The thought of Hunter playing across from All-Pro corner Christian Gonzalez is equally as appealing as Carter lining up as their lead pass-rusher.
Regardless of what happens, the Patriots should find themselves in a position to upgrade significantly on the defensive side of the ball if they’re patient.
Isn’t that the whole point of a rebuild? Patience?