Patriots’ Best Trade Assets for 2025 Offseason RANKED
The New England Patriots are staring down one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. After several years of inconsistency, the front office has tough decisions to make. The team still has valuable pieces, but with a new era potentially on the horizon, it’s time to weigh whether holding onto certain players is the best move—or if trading them could help build for the future. With that in mind, let’s go through the Patriots’ best trade assets for the 2025 offseason.
Quarterback Drake Maye
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Let’s get this out of the way—Drake Maye is not getting traded. Quarterbacks with his potential don’t hit the market unless something goes catastrophically wrong.
At 22 years old, Maye represents everything a team could want in a modern franchise QB. He has the size, mobility, and arm strength to make every throw in the book. Even more impressive? He showed flashes of stardom in his rookie season despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football and throwing to a receiving corps that lacked a true No. 1 target.
Maye has that rare ability to make an offense work, even when the supporting cast isn’t up to par. If the Patriots surround him with better weapons and protection, he could be the kind of player who puts the franchise back in championship conversations. That’s why he tops this list—because when you find a quarterback with this kind of upside, you don’t let him go.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez
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If there’s one player on this roster who feels just as untouchable as Maye, it’s Christian Gonzalez. The 22-year-old corner is already one of the best young defensive backs in the league.
Before a shoulder injury cut his rookie season short, Gonzalez had all the makings of a lockdown corner. He showed poise beyond his years, shadowed No. 1 receivers, and played with the kind of smooth athleticism that separates elite corners from the rest of the pack.
In today’s NFL, elite corners have incredible value. The Patriots know this, and unless a team offers an absurd haul, Gonzalez isn’t going anywhere.
2025 First-Round Draft Pick
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The fourth overall pick is a goldmine, plain and simple. Whether the Patriots use it to draft a future star or trade down for a stockpile of assets, this selection carries serious weight.
Looking at recent history, this spot has produced stars like Sauce Gardner, Lane Johnson, and even quarterbacks like Anthony Richardson. The Patriots have several directions they could go—do they take a dominant wide receiver? A cornerstone left tackle? Or do they trade down with a QB-hungry team and collect extra picks?
2025 Second-Round Pick
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A high second-round pick is nothing to overlook. Sitting at No. 38 overall, the Patriots have a chance to land a high-impact player—someone who may not have the top-five pedigree but could still be a Day 1 starter. This is a sweet spot for finding talented players who slip through the cracks in the first round. For instance, many teams have found stars like Xavien Howard, Christian Barmore, and Preston Smith in this range. It’s a great trade chip if New England wants to make a move, but it’s also a key piece in adding another young difference-maker.
2025 Third-Round Pick
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Historically, third-round picks are where teams find diamonds in the rough. We have seen this firsthand, as players like Cooper Kupp, Tyler Lockett, and Tyrann Mathieu have all been drafted in this range over the years. New England’s pick at No. 69 overall might not be a blockbuster trade asset, but it will surely help build depth.
Additional Third-Round Pick via Atlanta
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Thanks to the Matthew Judon trade, the Patriots also own the Falcons’ third-round pick (No. 77 overall). Having multiple third-rounders gives the team flexibility—they can use them to package a deal, move up in the draft, or simply take more swings at finding talent. Teams looking for extra picks on Day 2 of the draft may see this as a great bargain.
Defensive Lineman Christian Barmore
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Barmore is a force when he’s healthy. He has the kind of disruptive interior pass-rushing ability that teams pay top dollar for. But there are concerns—injuries and inconsistency have kept him from reaching his full potential.
He also just signed a four-year deal worth up to $92 million in April 2024, which complicates his trade value. Teams would have to weigh the upside against the contract. If he plays at his peak, he’s worth every penny. If not, it’s a hefty price tag.
If the Patriots were to move him, they could probably get a late first-round or early second-round pick from a defensive-line-needy team.
2025 Fourth-Round Pick
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Mid-round draft picks may not generate headlines, but teams value them more than fans might think. The Patriots’ fourth-rounder presents another chance to add depth to the roster or package it in a deal to move up.
Some of the best players in the league—Stefon Diggs, Kirk Cousins, and even Davante Adams—were selected in the fourth round. While it’s unlikely to land a surefire star, this pick could yield a future starter, especially if New England identifies a player who fits its system.
Tight End Hunter Henry
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At 30 years old, Hunter Henry is no longer in his prime, but he remains one of the most reliable targets on the roster. His last season proved that, even with shaky quarterback play, he could still move the chains.
What makes Henry stand out is his ability to play both as an in-line tight end and as a red-zone target. He’s not the fastest or most explosive player, but he knows how to get open, has great hands, and understands the nuances of the position.
However, his contract isn’t going to seem great for interested teams. In March 2024, Henry agreed to a three-year deal with a base value of $27 million, making for an average annual value of at least $9 million per season. This is a hefty price tag for a tight end on the wrong side of 30. If New England wants to get someone younger at the position, Henry could be a player they consider moving.
Defensive Lineman Keion White
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Keion White is an interesting case. At 26, he’s still young enough to be a long-term piece, and his combination of size and athleticism makes him an intriguing trade asset. But the inconsistency in his play last season raises questions.
He came out of the gates hot, recording four sacks in the first two games, but his production slowed down from that point on. Part of that could be attributed to how he was used—bouncing between different roles on the defensive line. Some weeks, he was tasked with stopping the run; other weeks, he was asked to rush the passer exclusively.
For teams looking for an athletic, high-upside defensive lineman who can play multiple spots, White holds some appeal. He wouldn’t command a premium trade return, but teams desperate for pass-rush help might view him as an excellent rotational piece. If he stays in New England, the focus will be on refining his technique and turning flashes of brilliance into consistent production.
Offensive Lineman Mike Onwenu
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Mike Onwenu’s versatility is both his greatest strength and a reason his career has been somewhat uneven. The Patriots have moved him between right guard and right tackle, but he has never quite committed to one position. That lack of stability has impacted his play, though when he’s locked in, he can be a dominant force.
Teams are always on the lookout for offensive linemen who can play multiple positions, especially in a league where injuries up front can derail an entire season. But he’s one of the highest-paid interior linemen in football, having signed a three-year, $57 million deal with $38 million guaranteed. If he were playing at an elite level every week, that wouldn’t be an issue, but he’s been inconsistent, particularly as a run blocker.
Onwenu’s trade value likely falls in the mid-round range, but given how hard it is to find quality offensive linemen, the Patriots might hold onto him unless they receive a strong offer.
Wide Receiver DeMario Douglas
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DeMario Douglas was one of the few bright spots in the Patriots’ offense last season. The 5-foot-8 slot receiver tied Hunter Henry for the team lead in receptions and showed he can be a dependable target in the short and intermediate passing game. His quickness, precise route running, and ability to create yards after the catch make him a valuable asset.
But there’s a concern: his concussion history. Douglas sustained two concussions in his rookie year, and for a player who relies on his agility and ability to absorb contact over the middle of the field, that’s something teams will factor in when assessing his trade value.
At just 24 years old and with two years left on his rookie contract, he’s a cost-effective option for teams looking to add a young playmaker. If the Patriots wanted to move him, they’d likely get a mid-to-late-round pick, though his value could be higher if a team sees him as a long-term slot weapon.