INCLUDING A BLOCKBUSTER
Patriots acquire: Rams DL Aaron Donald
Patriots trade: 2024 first-round pick, 2024 second-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, WR Kendrick Bourne
Emphasis on “nuts.”
Maybe the adjective should be crazy or insane or diabolical instead. This deal isn’t happening. But for the sake of thought exercise, and recognizing the Patriots are in uncharted territory with a habit of making unexpected moves, let’s proceed.
The genesis for this fake trade was a question former Patriots executive and Belichick consigliere Mike Lombardi floated last month: if the Rams start slowly, and seem destined for a top draft pick they could used to land an elite quarterback prospect in Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, would they trade Donald at the deadline?
Donald is a future Hall of Famer a few steps away from his prime as arguably the best defensive lineman to ever live. He has two years left on a contract complicated by void years, which the Rams tacked on for salary
cap purposes. Los Angeles has already shed Jalen Ramsey and his contract for cap and rebuilding reasons.
For the Patriots, Donald’s money - particularly within expected market growth of the next two years - isn’t unreasonable. His trade value should also be lower than it’s ever been: Donald’s 32, coming off the first serious injury of his career and the Rams are rebuilding. Donald may not want to play for another franchise, but if he did, shouldn’t playing for the greatest coach in NFL history work?
Plus, the Patriots feel the urgency of this season. From
Belichick to Mac Jones, it’s a proveit year. Belichick isn’t guaranteed to make all those draft picks - one of which, the 2026 third-rounder, they might recoup as a compensatory pick if Donald walks after the 2024 season. Belichick also surely recognizes if the Patriots win this season, their defense will light the way.
So instead of patching a team weakness (their offensive line or receiving corps), he amplifies a strength and likely fields the best pass rush in the NFL. Donald would instantly free up 1-on-1 matchups across the defensive front for Matt Judon, Josh Uche, Christian Barmore and others. He can play in any front, and that collective pressure protects a young group of corners (Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones and Jack Jones?) that must mature quickly.
Donald would be beyond an out-ofcharacter swing for the Patriots, acquiring a declining player (granted, from Hall of Fame heights) at the cost of significant future draft capital. But if they open 3-4, the Rams stumble to 1-6 and Donald is playing like prime Donald, who says no?
Losing Bourne, of course, would hurt. But the Patriots plan to employ tight end Mike Gesicki as the supersized wide receiver he really is. Therefore, Bourne will be fighting him for playing time, with Rhamondre Stevenson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Hunter Henry having already nailed down starting spots. Not to mention, the Patriots holster promising rookies Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte behind him, along with Tyquan Thornton; all young receivers could conceivably function as No. 4 or No. 5 option.
Bourne reunites with ex-49ers offensive assistant Mike LaFleur, now the OC in Los Angeles, and returns to the system that launched his career. Several teams inquired about Bourne’s availability last offseason. If the Rams were one of them, aren’t they and the Pats a step closer to this deal than most teams - even if it’s, seemingly, fantasy?