Patriots' Top Trade Candidates Ahead of 2023 Training Camp

The New England Patriots might be willing to move on from two members of their 2021 free-agent class.

Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Mills have been flushed down the depth chart due to average 2022 seasons and the additions of younger players at wide receiver and defensive back.

Bourne and Mills could be two of the most talked about trade targets in preseason. Both players still have plenty to offer, but they may not fit into the Patriots' plans anymore.

The Patriots may not be willing to trade anyone else in 2023, but there could be a situation in which Bailey Zappe earns interest and the team is comfortable moving on from him.

Kendrick Bourne

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 31: New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) during the first day of New England Patriots Optional Training Activities on May 31, 2023, at the Patriots Training Facility at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Kendrick Bourne may not be with the Patriots much longer.

Bourne has fallen down the wide receiver depth chart in recent years due to the additions of JuJu Smith-Schuster and DeVante Parker.

A potential free-agent signing of DeAndre Hopkins could further relegate Bourne at his position.

Even without Hopkins, Bourne may not be effective inside the New England offense.

He is coming off a 48-catch, 434-yard season that came after 70 receptions and 800 yards in his debut season with the AFC East side.

There is some production left in Bourne, but the situation in New England may not suit him anymore, especially if rookie Kayshon Boutte impresses in preseason.

The Patriots could release Bourne, which is the likely route, but they could dangle him on the trade market to see if they can get a Day 3 draft pick or two in case there is a wide receiver-needy team looking for a veteran pass-catcher.

Jalen Mills

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 30: Jalen Mills #2 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 30, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Jalen Mills might be the biggest loser of the Patriots drafting Christian Gonzalez in the first round.

The Patriots have Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones set to start at cornerback, while Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers are the favorites to start at safety.

Mills could lose out on a roster spot to Adrian Phillips or rookie Marte Mapu at safety, and there is not a path for him to be a backup cornerback with Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant in place.

The former Philadelphia Eagles player had five passes defended and two interceptions last season, but he only played in 10 games.

Mills could have a great preseason and still be on the outside looking in at a starting spot, and that could make him one of the better options on the trade market.

Injuries and preseason performances elsewhere will dictate Mills' potential trade market, but he could be on the move if the perfect situation comes about.

Bailey Zappe

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 24: New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) looks on during the warm-up period prior to a game between the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 24, 2022, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Bailey Zappe is a quarterback with some starting experience in the NFL.

The second-year player was on the field for four games in 2022, but it is still more than other backup quarterbacks across the league.

The Patriots would have to feel 100 percent comfortable with Trace McSorley and rookie Malik Cunningham backing up Mac Jones to deal Zappe at any point in 2023.

If that is the case, Zappe could be discussed with other teams who may have quarterback needs develop as the regular season moves on.

Any potential interest in Zappe would likely come deeper into the regular season, especially if the Patriots feel more comfortable with their entire quarterback room, but it could happen if a team is in desperate need of a starter.