Patriots Writer Names AFC Running Back As Ideal Trade Target

The New England Patriots could add to their roster before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.

98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth detailed “Four Patriots trade deadline needs to watch” and has New England targeting a running back.

“Breece Hall is the top name rumored to be available at running back, but the Patriots would likely have to pay an in-division tax at a position where they aren’t hard-pressed to get a starter,” Barth wrote on Tuesday. “Spell backs on losing teams like Jerome Ford in Cleveland, Dameon Pierce in Houston, or Tyjae Spears in Tennessee might make more sense. Ford in particular is a player to watch for a reason we’ll get into in a bit.”

Barth noted that the Patriots need a kick returner, making it clear that adding Ford could fill two holes with one move.

“This is where the Patriots could double dip, adding a running back and a returner,” Barth added. “That brings us back to Ford, who in addition to being a very capable spell back also has significant kick return history.”

Ford has returned 53 kicks for a total of 1,292 yards over 52 games. With running back/kick returner Antonio Gibson suffering a torn ACL in Week 5, Ford could step up to fill the gap left by his absence.

The 26-year-old running back does more than just return kicks; he also excels as a receiving back, tallying 102 catches for 620 yards and five touchdowns in 52 games.