Patriots Predicted to Target Trade for $21 Million Ex-Vrabel Edge
The Patriots overhauled the roster this offseason, of course, spending more than any other team in the NFL to retool a team that was coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons but had a potential star quarterback–Drake Maye–on its hands. Free agency is never the preferred way to build a team in the NFL, but the Patriots had money and plenty of holes.
For the most part, they spent their money well, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where they added top defensive lineman Milton Williams and two new pass-rushers, K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry. Coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams came in with some familiarity with Landry–they’d coached him when all three were with the Titans.
Now, with the trade deadline approaching, there is a possibility that Vrabel could go back to the well of familiarity. That’s because one of the players who is believed to be on the market is another pass-rusher, and with New England lacking depth at that spot, a deal for Landry’s former running mate in Tennessee, veteran Arden Key, is one that should interest the Pats.
Patriots in Need of Defensive Depth
That’s the thinking from MassLive beat writer Mark Daniels, who outlined a sharp list of six players the Patriots could pursue at the trade deadline. While most observers have focused on the Patriots’ receiver room, Daniels has just two on the list, and one is mostly there for fun: former Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers, and (the fun one) Eagles star AJ Brown, who also played for Vrabel in Tennessee.
The Patriots’ receiver group has been very good, though, and the team really does not need more bodies there. What New England is depth, especially in the pass-rush, which has petered out some in recent weeks. The Patriots may be asking too much of Chaisson and Landry.
Key would help solve that problem.
Mike Vrabel Signed Arden Key in Tennessee
Here’s what Daniels wrote about Key, who has 1.5 sacks and is getting healthy after dealing with a quad injury:
“The Patriots have two stout edge rushers with Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson, but lack depth beyond that. Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, and Elijah Ponder have all dealt with injuries this season. The team could add someone like Key.
“The 29-year-old was in Tennessee with Vrabel and his Titans staff. That year, he finished with six sacks. Key would add better depth behind Landry and Chaisson.”
Patriots Could Add Depth at Low Cost
The Patriots are loath to give up draft picks for short-term gain, but at some point, they’ve got to take a win-now view and seek to upgrade while they can. They could get Arden, who is in the final year of a three-year, $21 million he signed to play for Vrabel, for a relatively cheap price of a Day 3 pick.
There’s no doubt that the rebuilding Titans would be willing to send Key elsewhere.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote this week: “The Titans are open to trading players who are in the last year of a contract and are not in the franchise’s long-term plans. Key fits that mold. And if pass-rush-hunting teams strike out on big names, Key is a serviceable alternative.”
NFL Announces Punishment for Lions Player for Baker Mayfield Actions
The Detroit Lions had a victorious showing during their Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, October 19. When the clock went down to zero at the end of the fourth, the Lions walked out of there with a 24-9 score and a winning record of 5-2 going into their bye week. That win even pushed the Detroit Lions to the top of NFL Power Rankings, with both ESPN and the NFL’s Week 8 Power Rankings having them at No. 1.
But, NFL games are packed drama and antics, and the Lions vs. Buccaneers game was no exception. There were heated moments during the contest, and one of them landed one Detroit Lions player a hefty penalty from the NFL.
Every week during the regular NFL season, the league penalizes players for their actions in the previous week’s games. The NFL notes on their website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity, the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.” The new roster of players getting hit with punishments goes up every Saturday afternoon.
Detroit Lions Player Hit With NFL Repremend
In the NFL’s report for Week 7, defensive end Tyrus Wheat was slapped with a $5,722 fine for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.” Specifically, in this instance, Wheat tripped Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in the pocket while trying to make a pass. In the game, the refs didn’t call it as a foul against the Detroit Lions and instead gave Wheat the sack. Now, they’re making good on that misstep in the game with the postgame fine.
According to the NFL, those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Rachaad White was hit with a fine for his actions during the Lions game, too. His fine was a whopping $46,371 for “use of the helmet.”
Detroit Lions Week 8 Stats
As mentioned above, the Detroit Lions are topping Week 8 power rankings from NFL analysts and experts, which is a great thing for the Motor City. ESPN has the Lions at No. 1, along with the NFL’s official website.
In a feature published on Tuesday, October 21, Eric Edholm of the NFL’s website says of the Lions’ “Jared Goff’s pick before halftime helped gift the Buccaneers points, but the Lions’ offense responded with a touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter and the defense played incredibly well all night, especially considering the circumstances.” He adds, “The Lions might have taken the Chiefs’ best punch in Week 6, but they took out their frustrations on a good Bucs team that they might see again in January.”
Fox Sports also has the Lions at No. 1 in a feature out Tuesday, October 21. In it, Ralph Vacchiano says of the Lions, “The Lions sure bounced back nicely from their loss in Kansas City with a win over the Bucs. They aren’t perfect, but they can do it all and may be the most complete team in the NFL.”
The Detroit Lions’ next game is against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2. The Vikings lost to the Chargers on Thursday, October 23, with a 37-10 score, and are in a freefalling state when it comes to quarterbacks, so that will only help the Lions.
