Patriots Should Pursue Myles Garrett Trade While Retaining This Asset

The Patriots theoretically could trade the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft for an established NFL player, though few are worth that price.

Myles Garrett, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and finalist to repeat in 2024, might not even be on the list.

Garrett publicly requested to be traded Monday, though the Browns maintain they’re not interested in dealing the four-time First Team All-Pro. So, there’s a chance things get messy in Cleveland.

The Patriots should absolutely try to acquire Garrett, who spent the 2024 campaign in the same building as Mike Vrabel. However, New England should not part with its top asset in order to get a deal done.

That’s not to say it would take such an asset.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini cited one unnamed NFL general manager who predicted what it could cost to acquire the six-time Pro Bowler. That GM told Russini it would probably require a first- and second-round pick or a first-rounder and two third-rounders. The executive pushed back on the notion it would cost as much as three first-round picks, though ESPN’s Adam Schefter reflected to when Khalil Mack was sent from Las Vegas to Chicago for what essentially proved to be two first-rounders and two pick swaps.

Perhaps the Patriots can acquire Garrett for its 2025 second-rounder and 2026 first-rounder? Or perhaps a 2026 first-rounder and combination of 2025 and 2026 third-rounders gets it across the finish line?

Garrett is well-deserving of such a trade package. He’s arguably the best player at arguably the second-most important position — pass-rushers trailing only the quarterbacks they chase. And Garrett, who likely would receive a contract extension with just two years left on his current deal, has some value as the fifth highest-paid edge rusher with two interior defenders earning more. He received $100 million guaranteed from Cleveland when he agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal, which is why he’s currently cheap.

It’s fair to wonder if Garrett would be open to New England, of course. He’s requested to be traded from Cleveland because he’s 29 years old and doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild. The Patriots are closer to contention than the Browns, but that doesn’t mean they’re close.

That doesn’t mean the Patriots shouldn’t stage a pursuit, though. Just maybe not full-fledged in the sense it would include the No. 4 pick.