After salvaging their entire pass-rushing unit this offseason, the New England Patriots could trade former third-rounder Anfernee Jennings before the regular season starts. According to a report, the outside linebacker could be in trouble when it comes to a spot on the 53-man roster, so the team could try trading Jennings before deciding to release him. Originally selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, the former Alabama product had a slow uphill at the beginning of his tenure in New England before finding his role within this defense. With a new regime under new head coach Mike Vrabel, it might become difficult for Jennings to make any type of impact this upcoming season.
Through five seasons, he was only able to put up nearly six sacks, three pass deflections and 191 total tackles. This doesn’t sound like big-time numbers for a pass-rusher that still has two years left in his current deal after signing a three-year contract with the Patriots last offseason. With the Patriots adding pieces like Harold Landry, Robert Spillane and K’Lavon Chaisson over the past few months, this leaves Jennings on the outside fighting for some type of spot on this team. While he could be a potential cut candidate, the Patriots, like any NFL team, will probably make him available for a trade, and these three teams may take a chance on him.
Report: Patriots Could Trade Former Third-Round Pick Anfernee Jennings – 3 Logical Fits
Potential Destinations
Baltimore Ravens
Even though the Baltimore Ravens have been upgrading the secondary unit after signing Jaire Alexander, they can’t ignore the pass-rushing unit. They have one of the worst departments, and the only pass-rushers that are keeping it alive are Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy and Roquan Smith. The biggest implication is that Van Noy and Oweh are entering contract years, and the Ravens don’t have the cap space to sign both in one offseason. Perhaps, while the Patriots will never trade to the Ravens, the team could sign Jennings in free agency.
After losing Malik Harrison, the team will likely have to rely on David Ojabo and Trenton Simpson, who haven’t done much for this unit. While Mike Green is a solid draft pick, he won’t be ready for a full-time role. They should play it safe and get someone like Jennings at least on a one-year contract to salvage the unit alongside Smith and Oweh.
Kansas City Chiefs
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs arguably have one of the weakest linebacker core groups in the league, except for Nick Bolton. Drue Tranquil and Leo Chenal haven’t made a ton of noise, so these two might not be the long-term players for this defensive roster. The Chiefs should target Jennings to bolster this unit and finally give Bolton the depth he needs, since the trade for Josh Uche from last year wasn’t much of a help.
New Orleans Saints
However, since the New Orleans Saints will be reliant on the defense, they must put that unit with a ton of talent. While Jennings isn’t the most explosive, he could fill the gap when they lost Willie Gay this offseason. Between Demario Davis and Pete Werner, they could use the upgrade over Carl Granderson, who won’t single-handedly take over as a solid starter when Jennings probably has the better upside.
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