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Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots have gotten off to a strong start to begin the 2025 NFL season. In his first year as the team’s head coach, Vrabel has led the Patriots to a 6-2 record through the first eight weeks. At this point in time, New England appears to be a potential contender in the AFC. With that being said, the Patriots could choose to get aggressive ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline next week. They certainly do not have to buy aggressively, but Vrabel has made it clear that he wants to win and he wants to win now. Read more: Travis Kelce Sends Heartfelt Words After Giants’ Cam Skattebo Injury Should New England decide to become a buyer, there are quite a few players who have been mentioned as potential trade candidates who could make sense. Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on prior to a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe took a look at some possible options for the Patriots. She named Seattle Seahawks star cornerback Tariq Woolen as one of them. “At cornerback, Tariq Woolen of the Seahawks and the Saints’ Alontae Taylor are possibilities. The 6-foot-4-inch Woolen, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, would provide depth on the boundary and could benefit from a change in scenery. The 26-year-old Taylor has more versatility, able to line up out of the slot or outside,’’ Yang wrote. Woolen would be a very intriguing addition for New England. While the Patriots’ biggest need may not come at the cornerback position, he would be a long-term pickup and has already shown big-time playmaking ability. Throughout his first 54 career games in the NFL, Woolen has racked up 19 181 total tackles to go along with a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, 11 interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and 44 defended passes. Read more: Steelers Connected to Unexpected Trade for Young Star WR Adding him to the roster would give Vrabel yet another key defensive piece for years to come. He could play alongside of Christian Gonzalez for the foreseeable future. That would be a tough scenario for New England to pass up. Depending on the price tag, this could be a potential option for the Patriots. Woolen seems to be readily available. It’s strange that the Seahawks have seemed so adamant about trading such a talented young cornerback, but Woolen could be a perfect fit in New England. For more on the New England Patriots and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
