Patriots need to trade Joe Thuney during the draft
The Patriots need to retool their roster during this year’s NFL Draft. Trading Joe Thuney will give New England the draft capital to do just that.
Tom Brady shouldn’t be the only prominent offensive veteran that the Patriots let go this offseason. It’s time for Bill Belichick to let go of Joe Thuney too.
Fortunately for officials in New England, the team will be able to get something in return for the talented guard. The team’s decision to designate Thuney as their franchise player allows them to retain his rights for the time being. The downside of that arrangement is that it would force the Patriots to pay Thuney $14.78 million to play for them in 2020.
Reports from ESPN claim the team and Thuney are still very far apart when it comes to agreeing to a long-term extension. The All-Pro guard would be more than happy to play for that salary this season. Understandably, the Patriots are in no mood to pay a guard that kind of premium.
That contract standoff makes this week’s draft the right time to trade Thuney. The Patriots won’t be able to get a first rounder back for Thuney, but it’s entirely possible they can find a team willing to sacrifice a second round pick to acquire him. Remember, New England shipped its own second round pick in this year’s draft to the Falcons last season in the Mohamed Sanu deal. Getting a second rounder in exchange for Thuney would provide Belichick with valuable flexibility heading into the draft’s middle round.
That’s particularly important if you consider the Patriots need to acquire a new franchise quarterback. The team might not see a prospect that lines up well with their No. 23 selection, but it’s very possible they could find a potential starter in Round 2. Someone like Jacob Eason would seem to be a particularly intriguing fit for the Patriots offense.
If the Patriots are going to be able to find the quarterback of their choice after Round 1 they’ll need to have enough draft capital to move around the board to nab him. Simply waiting for a prospect to fall to you in Round 2 or 3 is not savvy NFL roster building. That’s the right time in the draft to wheel and deal to grab the player you covet.
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Losing Thuney will hurt the Patriots’ offensive line in 2020, but it could be the key to giving them a quarterback worth protecting in future seasons. Look for Thuney to be on the move when the draft begins. The only real question is what draft prospect Belichick will turn him into.