Patriots Projected to Trade for All-Pro Defensive End

The New England Patriots are in the market for a lot of players, and one big role they need to fill is on their defensive line. The Patriots had the least amount of sacks last year and got some of the least amount of pressure on opposing QBs in the NFL. They were at the bottom of the league in stats like QB pressures and knockdowns, which caused them to allow one of the highest passer ratings.

This also made it tough for New England Patriots defensive backs to have to be in coverage so long without pressure, especially in man-to-man and blitz situations. The Patriots have to fix this problem if they want any chance at returning to a top defensive football team in the league.

The best way to do this is to bring in someone who is one of the best pass rushers in the game, and one of them who was a pro bowler, First Team All-Pro, and second in defensive player of the year voting last season just requested to seek a trade.

Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals has been granted permission to seek a trade and find a new home. The four-time pro bowler put up 46 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 36 QB hits, a career high 17.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. 

Hendrickson led the league in sacks and was tied for second in tackles for loss this past season. He was an absolute monster this past season, and if he is available for trade, the Patriots need to make a move to get a game-changer on the defensive line.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently released an article that said the Patriots could be a top destination for Hendrickson, and he even showed what the potential trade package could be.

He stated that the Patriots should trade their second-round pick this year, which would be the 38th pick in the draft straight up for Trey Hendrickson. This would be an absolute steal, and if the Bengals were open to this, they should jump on it before they change their mind.

Hendrickson would be the best prospect in this draft, and he is light-years better than anyone the Patriots could pick up in the second round, anyway. The Patriots can also give Hendrickson exactly what he is looking for.

The main reason that he is trying to get out of Cincinnati is that the two sides could not agree on a contract. Sobleski mentioned that Hendrickson deserves to be a top 10 highest-paid rusher in the league, and he couldn't be more right. What could be most enticing about the Patriots is that they have the capability of giving him the big long-term deal he is looking for.

The former third-round pick is 30 years old, but over the last two seasons, he has played the best football of his career, and he looks to be only getting better. Hendrickson has been healthy, clutch, and one of the best defensive players in football over the last two years, and that is all the Patriots can ask for.

The Patriots should take advantage of this trade request, and they could fix almost all their defensive line problems with this acquisition. Because of Hendrickson's age, it does not seem like they would have to give up too much anyway.

Signing Hendrickson will cause him to be the main focus on the defensive side for other teams, and he should see a lot of double teams, which could open up opportunities for young players on the Patriots defensive line, like Keion White and Christian Barmore, to make plays.

Hendrickson has played in multiple playoff games, and he has even been to and played in the Super Bowl. He could bring a winning culture and attitude to the Patriots while also being able to mentor the young guys. Hendrickson is the perfect fit that the Patriots are looking for.