The New England Patriots just got done winning their sixth Super Bowl in the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era. Their off season is off to a rough start. Robert Kraft has been in the news for issues unrelated to football. In New England, they are used to such drama. If there is one thing that the Patriots know how to do, it is how to ignore all the noise, and put a winning team on the field.
Brady was heavily criticized during the season for looking like he is done. He used those criticisms, and rode them all the way to his sixth ring. The future Hall of Famer looks like he is not going anywhere for awhile. The New England dynasty is alive and well. Despite their success, there is always room for improvement. The Patriots are always a preferred destination for players. Teams usually do not want to send their players to New England, but sometimes it is necessary. Here are three players who the Patriots can try, and trade for this off season.
3. Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs were a complete mess in 2018. They kept going back and forth between Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick at the quarterback position. They turned the ball over at a high rate, and did not get production from their defense. One position the Bucs are happy about is tight end. O.J. Howard is a two-year player for Tampa Bay who they believe is their tight end of the future. He has 11 touchdowns in his career. The Bucs have made it clear that they want him as part of their future.
That leaves Brate on the back burner. Brate will be entering his sixth season in 2019. The big tight end has emerged as a legitimate red zone threat. He has scored at least six touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. Brate is a player that has always shown the ability to be a big time tight end, but he has never been given that chance in Tampa Bay.
The success of tight ends in New England is undeniable. Aside from Rob Gronkowski, they have had many tight ends through the years that have been above average. The system that they run allows tight ends to succeed. Is there a more Patriots type player than Brate? He seems to fit the bill. Big body, good route runner, great blocker, and exceptional hands. There have been rumors of Gronk retiring after this Super Bowl win. That is yet to be seen, but Brate can step in, and contribute right away if Gronk decides to hang them up.
2. Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona holds the first pick in this year's NFL Draft. It is uncertain which direction they are heading. The Cardinals drafted Josh Rosen with their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. There has been rumors that he will be dealt, and Kyler Murray is destined for Arizona. Larry Fitzgerald is on his way out. Arizona just hired a new head coach. This is a team that is in a complete rebuild.
The Cardinals almost made a big splash last year to jump start the rebuild. There were rumors all season about trading All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson. He is currently playing on a five-year, $70 million contract that has him as a free agent after the 2020 season. He will be 31-years old when he is up for a new contract. It is no secret that Arizona would like to keep one of the best corners in the game, however it is uncertain with the new direction of the team. Peterson has played 16 games in all eight seasons he has spent in a Cardinals' uniform. He has 23 career interceptions, and has done damage in the return game, as well.
New England signed Stephon Gilmore to a big contract to strengthen their secondary. It features the McCourty twins, and Patrick Chung. A corner back duo of Gilmore and Peterson is something that has to make Patriot fans salivate. This is a move to could make the Super Bowl champs even better.
1. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
It remains a mystery where Brown will play football next season. The one thing that is certain — it will not be the Steelers. The best receiver in the league went through an ugly break up with Pittsburgh. It came to the point where he asked to be traded, and went as far as to post thank you messages on Twitter while still apart of the team. There is no favorite to land Brown. Can you imagine Brown in a Patriots' uniform?
The Steelers have come out to say that they do not want to deal Brown to an AFC team, especially New England. This is a situation where the Patriots will have to wow Pittsburgh with any offer. The reward would be worth it. Who can forget Randy Moss in New England? In his first season, he set the record for most receiving touchdowns in a season with 23. Gronk has turned into one of the best tight ends ever thanks to his time as a Patriot. Brady has turned countless average receivers into household names such as Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, and Chris Hogan.
Brown is no average receiver. He has racked up 1,200+ yards in six straight seasons. In those years, he has caught over 100 balls every year, and scored 10 or more touchdowns four times. This includes a season where he ended with 136 receptions. Brown's greatness is not up for debate. The real question is, can the Patriots put together a package great enough? There would be no match than Brown and the Patriots. The receiver wants to play for a winner, and no team has won more than New England. For the Patriots, the future of Gronk is in question. Adding a big time play maker on the outside would be a perfect way to make up for it.
Nothing would upset the NFL world more than Brown ended up as a Patriot. The villains of the NFL proved this season that they are not going anywhere. This is a move that could make them stronger for many years to come.
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