Could Surprising Deadline Deal Spell Good News For Patriots?

The Patriots probably should move one of their wideouts prior to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

New England is in a tough spot with a couple of its veterans, as K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton have become non-factors within the offense halfway through the season. Both were healthy scratches from Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Osborn’s value is at an all-time low, and Thornton never really had any. So while the focus prior to Tuesday’s deadline should be finding a trade partner, there’s a real question as to whether anyone would actually take them.

The NFL produces some wackiness at the deadline, however.

The Dallas Cowboys, for instance, made a relatively shocking decision Tuesday, acquiring former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a 2026 sixth-round pick for a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

HUH!?!?

Mingo was once highly thought of as a former second-round pick, but less than two seasons into his career, he’s plummeted down the depth chart in Carolina and has become a non-contributor. Mingo has 55 receptions for 539 yards across 24 total games, which isn’t good.

Dallas needs wideouts with both CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks dealing with injuries, but a fourth-round pick is patently ridiculous for someone who has proven next to nothing in the NFL. New England should try to take advantage of that eagerness, whether it be in The Big D or somewhere else.