The New England Patriots are ready to fast-track a rebuild in 2025 with a new coach and quarterback Drake Maye already displaying star qualities during his rookie campaign despite a weak roster.
Beating the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 wasn't the best strategy for stockpiling talent in the offseason. The victory dropped the Pats from the No. 1 pick to the fourth selection.
However, the team still has the most projected salary cap space in the NFL ($133.3 million as of Tuesday) and nine draft picks, including four in the first three rounds, in April.
All of the Patriots' money and assets could put the team in play for a blockbuster trade or two in the coming months, which ESPN's Benjamin Solak predicted on Monday.
"After trying (and failing) in the Tee Higgins market, the Patriots will put together a solid trade for a veteran receiver," Solak wrote. "DK Metcalf and DJ Moore are the two names that make the most sense. The Patriots will not mind sending away draft capital for immediate contributors since they plan to trade out of the No. 4 pick anyway."
Moore, of the Chicago Bears, and Metcalf, of the Seattle Seahawks, are both 27 years old. While Moore is more expensive after signing a $110 million extension, he is also under contract through 2029. Metcalf is playing on a $72 million deal that ends following next season, which means he is likely to seek an extension come March.
A trade for Moore would probably be a little simpler and cleaner for the Patriots, though who New England pursues could depend simply on the varying levels of interest from the Bears and Seahawks organizations in moving their respective top wide receivers.
Those teams' interest will likely hinge upon how they envision their offensive futures and how much they value the No. 4 pick. Chicago has the 10th selection and could have two picks inside the top-10 for the second consecutive year if the team is willing to part ways with Moore.
The Seahawks select 18th, the worst pick among the teams that didn't make the playoffs. That could make the fourth selection more valuable to them than it might be to the Bears.
