Overview
- New England enters Week 9 at 6-2 on a five-game win streak with Drake Maye drawing MVP buzz after opening the year with elite efficiency and production.
- Mike Vrabel reiterated this is Year 1 of a build, and after dealing Kyle Dugger and Keion White for draft capital, expectations center on modest, needs-based additions.
- Reporting points to running back, edge rusher, safety and receiver as focus areas, and while New England has more than $52 million in cap space, big-name ideas such as DJ Moore are framed as analysis rather than active talks.
- Around the league, the 7-1 Colts are pursuing pass rushers and outside cornerbacks but have encountered dead ends, and sources indicate a move for Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson is considered unlikely.
- Analysts forecast pragmatic swaps before Tuesday, including veteran RB depth for the Patriots such as Jerome Ford, receiver options for the Bills like Rashid Shaheed, and possible Falcons candidates identified by a local reporter if Atlanta pivots to selling.