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Dee Ford trade rumors: Dolphins, Giants among potential suitors

By Kelly Thompson

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Dee Ford #55 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the start of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Dee Ford #55 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the start of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 19: Dee Ford #55 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the quarterback during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 19: Dee Ford #55 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the quarterback during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

47. Pick Analysis. AFC. East. New England Patriots. 1. player. Scouting Report

A team and general manager known for taking a risk on talented veterans, and getting them on the cheap in terms of draft picks given up, is the New England Patriots and Bill Belicheck.

As per usual, the Patriots own a significant number of draft picks (12) and could part with a third-round compensatory pick or a trio of Day 3 picks (or less) to take a chance on Ford.

Belicheck may be hesitant to take on Ford’s salary when coupled with his injury history, but the guaranteed money is minimal going forward. He can be cut at any time. However, to make this happen, the Patriots need cap space. That likely means a Joe Thuney trade.

In New England, Ford could find an excellent landing spot to work towards reaching his maximum potential and returning to Pro Bowl form. Belicheck is a defensive genius who regularly gets the most out of all of the talent a player has to offer – and Ford would benefit in major ways from being utilized in such a defensive scheme, but such a brilliant defensive mind.

San Francisco should want to secure a third-round pick for Ford, and the Patriots have three of them. If they can do that, taking a dive on the salary a bit is more palatable, and it could end up being a win-win for both teams.