2025 NFL Trade Deadline: Six Moves That Make Sense For Patriots

The New England Patriots will stay close to the phones this week…

The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline is scheduled for Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. ET, which will mark the final opportunity for each franchise to make significant roster moves — whether they come in the form of slight upgrades or complete and total renovations.

It’s starting to become pretty clear which side of that coin will land around these parts, though.

The Patriots are in need of upgrades at a few positions while also being in possession of some pieces that could be desirable elsewhere, so let’s toss together a few trade packages that just might come to fruition at One Patriot Place.

KEY TO SUCCESS

Patriots Receive: EDGE Arden Key
Titans Receive: EDGE Keion White

Keion White entered this season with plenty of expectations, as there was a presumption he would return to play at the same level that we saw under Bill Belichick but disappeared under Jerod Mayo.

Instead, he continued to regress.

White has contributed very little this season, losing his starting role early in training camp and only ever carving out snaps as a rotational hybrid defensive end/linebacker — leading to an eventual healthy scratch in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns. K’Lavon Chaisson not only pushed him back on the depth chart, but we have seen a recent increase in playing time from Anfernee Jennings and Jahlani Tavai.

The Patriots are anything but comfortable with their depth at that position, however, meaning they will be looking to make upgrades in the coming days.

Arden Key is an option after spending some time working with this coaching staff during his first season with the Tennessee Titans in 2023, and would provide something of an immediate boost to the pass-rush should he be able to remain healthy for the remainder of the season.

Key has totaled at least six sacks in three of the last four seasons.

It’s a trade that would help push each franchise toward their ultimate goal, with New England receiving an immediate boost and Tennessee receiving a motivated player with term left on his contract.

PLAN A

Patriots Receive: RB Dameon Pierce, 2026 7th
Texans Receive: 2026 6th

I’ve been adamant about the fact that I don’t believe New England needs to add at running back, but things changed on Sunday.

TreVeyon Henderson lost his first fumble since high school. Terrell Jennings ran out of practice squad elevations. Rhamondre Stevenson was fine, but he hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his own struggles with ball security.

It’s time to add another option, if not only for some peace of mind…

Dameon Pierce makes the most sense, as he’s been buried on the Houston Texans’ depth chart behind the likes of Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks. It’s been a slow burn for the former stud rookie, who has seen his snap share decrease across all four seasons and has just 10 total touches in 2025.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Texans general manager Nick Caserio are familiar enough with each other to get this deal done rather quickly.

PLAN B 

Patriots Receive: RB Jerome Ford, 2026 7th
Browns Receive: 2026 6th

Jerome Ford is in a similar situation to that of Pierce, finding himself without a role after the Cleveland Browns went out and added three talented rookies — Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders.

Vrabel is equally familiar with the folks in Northeast Ohio, so perhaps they do him a favor and part with a guy who has always done well with his opportunities.

QUICK FIX

Patriots Receive: S Jason Pinnock or S Ji’Ayir Brown
49ers Receive: EDGE Keion White

New England’s decision to part ways with their longest-tenured player will ride entirely on its ability to find his replacement — because safety is anything but a strength.

Jaylinn Hawkins has been surprisingly great, but already missed to games. Craig Woodson is playing more than anyone else on the defense, but hasn’t found a consistent groove. Dell Pettus and Richie Grant aren’t fit for full-time roles, which means there needs to be a one-for-one replacement if the team trades Dugger.

San Francisco 49ers defensive backs Jason Pinnock and Ji’Ayir Brown are perfect for a number of reasons, as they possess the versatility to play multiple roles on the backend, the latter has term left on his contract and they both come from a place that would do anything to bring in a guy like White.

I SCRATCH YOURS, YOU SCRATCH MINE

Patriots Receive: RB AJ Dillon
Eagles Receive: S Kyle Dugger, Cash Considerations

I’ll stop talking about running backs after this, I promise.

AJ Dillon is far and away the most decorated running back we’ve listed, but like those other two, he’s found himself at the bottom of the Philadelphia Eagles’ depth chart behind Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby — so why not make them an offer they can’t refuse?

The Eagles have been looking for safety help since losing Malcolm Jenkins in 2019.

Kyle Dugger isn’t going to magically turn that secondary around, but he would serve as an upgrade over the likes of Sydney Brown and former teammate Marcus Epps. The Patriots would need to include some serious money in order to get a deal done, which might be enough to kill this idea altogether, but this is a rare player-for-player trade that seemingly has zero risk for either side.

CALLING THE EX

Patriots Receive: S Xavier Woods
Titans Receive: 2026 5th

I’ll go back to the well one more time before letting you go, because few things in this world feel like more of a guarantee than Vrabel making a couple of calls to Nashville, Tenn.

Xavier Woods is as solid as they come, having carved out starting roles for four different franchises after entering the league as a sixth-round pick. The Patriots would be able to plug him into that primary depth role currently occupied by Dugger.

The Titans are said to be open for business, with the only two players they won’t take calls on being quarterback Cam Ward and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons — so start picking at those bones as soon as possible.