Patriots' Top Trade Candidates Ahead of 2024 Training Camp

The New England Patriots should be one of the most discussed teams in the NFL trade market.

The Patriots are not expected to compete for anything in Jerod Mayo's first season as head coach. It should be more of a developmental season for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

New England's likely spot in the standings will come with interest in veteran players from elsewhere in the NFL.

The Patriots have a few wide receivers, who if healthy, could help other teams in their respective quests for the Super Bowl.

Mayo and his staff could also face a fascinating discussion about the future of Jacoby Brissett. The veteran quarterback is currently in competition with Maye, but if the rookie takes over, another team could ask the Patriots about his services.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 07: JuJu Smith-Schuster #7 of the New England Patriots celebrates during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

A healthy and productive JuJu Smith-Schuster should be one of the NFL's more popular trade targets.

The veteran wide receiver is coming off a down first year in New England in which he only recorded 260 receiving yards on 47 receptions.

Smith-Schuster is only a year removed from a 933-yard season with the Kansas City Chiefs. That is proof of what he can still on a contending roster.

New England has plenty of young wide outs behind Smith-Schuster on the depth chart who could take over his role if he does leave at some point of the 2024 campaign.

The ideal situation for all parties is for Smith-Schuster to have a strong opening half of the regular season, generate trade interest and then for a move to happen to let Ja'Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas and others earn more in-game snaps.

Kendrick Bourne

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) dances after his touchdown catch and run in the first half during the game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Kendrick Bourne may not have the same level of trade interest as Smith-Schuster, but the same strategy applies to him.

A solid first half of the regular season could lead to trade interest and additional draft picks for the Patriots.

Bourne has not had the best time over three years in New England. He missed half of last season with an injury and he has not had more than 450 receiving yards in each of the previous two seasons.

Bourne's potential impact on a contending team is a harder sell than it is for Smith-Schuster, but he can change any perceptions about him with a great start, no matter who the quarterback is.

Jacoby Brissett

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 29: Jacoby Brissett #14 of the New England Patriots makes a pass during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

New England's ideal quarterback situation is for Jacoby Brissett to help Drake Maye along on the rookie's path to the starting job.

The Patriots would love to have Maye start a majority of their games in 2024. That leaves Brissett in an awkward spot.

He is not guaranteed to have a full season's worth of playing time. He may not even play one quarter of the regular-season games.

The Patriots would love to have Brissett around for all of the 2024 campaign to help Maye learn about how to approach the quarterback position in the NFL.

But there is usually a quarterback need across the NFL and that could lead to interest on the trade market.

The Patriots do not have to trade Brissett, but he will at least be mentioned in trade conversations when Maye takes over the starting job.