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The New England Patriots made one of the NFL’s biggest offseason trades when they acquired A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN believes another significant move could be coming. ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder predicted the Patriots will trade for an edge rusher before the 2026 NFL trade deadline. The prediction appeared in the outlet’s season preview for all 32 NFL teams.
“The Patriots will trade for an edge rusher before the trade deadline,” Walder wrote.
Walder did not identify a specific player New England could pursue. He did explain why the team’s current collection of pass rushers might force the front office to find outside help.
“This is a team with Super Bowl aspirations and what should be an explosive passing offense that will win them games,” Walder wrote. “But Landry and Jones aren’t a good enough pair at this stage of their career. I think at some point New England will bring in reinforcements.”
The Patriots do not need to make that decision immediately. Their opening stretch could determine whether Walder’s prediction eventually becomes reality.
Patriots enter season with questions at edge rusher
New England’s most established edge options include Dre’Mont Jones and Harold Landry III. Jones joined the Patriots during the offseason and is expected to help replace K’Lavon Chaisson, who led the team with 7.5 sacks last season. Landry, however, will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list.
That leaves New England without one of its most experienced outside linebackers for at least the opening portion of the schedule. The Patriots also have Elijah Ponder and second-round pick Gabe Jacas. Ponder entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2025. He now could receive a much larger role after earning a place on the roster.
Jacas was selected with the No. 55 overall pick because of the power and disruptive ability he demonstrated at Illinois. His rookie preparation was slowed after an offseason knee procedure kept him away from the team during the spring. He also signed after training camp began.
Expecting Jacas to become an immediate difference-maker might be unfair. New England can give him time to develop while using Jones, Ponder and other defenders in a rotation. The concern is whether that group can consistently create pressure without Mike Vrabel committing additional defenders to the pass rush.
A defense becomes easier to manage when four players can affect the quarterback.
If the Patriots must blitz regularly to create pressure, opposing quarterbacks could find favorable matchups against the areas those additional rushers leave behind.
Christian Gonzalez makes pass rush even more important
New England agreed to a four-year, $135 million extension with Christian Gonzalez before the season opener. The record-setting investment ensured the Patriots will continue building their secondary around one of the NFL’s best young cornerbacks. Even an elite cornerback benefits from a disruptive pass rush.
Gonzalez can limit a quarterback’s first option, but no defensive back can cover indefinitely. An edge rusher capable of winning an individual matchup would make Gonzalez and the rest of New England’s secondary even more effective. The Patriots already have significant talent along the interior of their defensive line.
Christian Barmore and Milton Williams can create pressure through the middle. Adding a proven edge player would prevent opponents from concentrating their protection entirely on the interior.
That could become especially valuable if New England returns to the postseason.
The Patriots encountered four excellent defenses during last season’s playoff run. They also saw how quickly pressure can change a game when the Seattle Seahawks repeatedly disrupted Drake Maye in Super Bowl LX.
New England should want to create the same problem for opposing quarterbacks.
MORE: Patriots make Christian Gonzalez NFL’s highest-paid cornerback with historic $135 million deal
Patriots can let season identify urgency
The trade deadline remains far enough away for the Patriots to evaluate their current players before surrendering draft capital. Ponder could emerge. Jacas might develop faster than anticipated. Jones could provide the production New England needs until Landry returns.
If those things happen, the Patriots can use their resources elsewhere. If the pass rush struggles, the front office should have little difficulty identifying its greatest need.
New England already demonstrated its willingness to make an aggressive trade when it acquired Brown for a 2028 first-round pick. The organization clearly believes its roster is capable of competing for a championship now.
That urgency changes the trade-deadline calculation.
A rebuilding team can tolerate an obvious weakness while allowing young players to develop. A Super Bowl contender cannot ignore a position capable of deciding a playoff game. ESPN believes the Patriots eventually will reach that conclusion. The first half of the season will determine whether New England’s current edge rushers can prove the prediction wrong.
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