3 New England Patriots players the Detroit Lions could trade for before the deadline

3. DB Adrian Phillips

Alongside someone else on this list, Phillips has hardly played in the Patriots' secondary so far this season (96 defensive snaps; 20 percent snap share through seven games). He's getting a bit up in age, at 31, but he played 62 percent of snaps over all 17 games last year and had 66 total tackles. So let's just say it's unlikely he has lost all of his ability.

In 2021, Phillips had 92 total tackles and four interceptions while playing 82 percent of New England's defensive snaps. He also lined up all over the field. And when I say all over the field, I mean all over the field.

The NFL is a clear-cut year-to-year proposition. What held true for a player one year does not necessarily hold true subsequently. Maybe Belichick doesn't think Phillips can play at a high level anymore over a lot of snaps, and maybe he's right about that. But Belichick's ability to assess and evaluate talent is not as infallible as it once was, and questions that once were never asked now are/can be asked.

Phillips' versatility, experience and leadership would seem to fit nicely in a Lions' secondary that needs another capable body so Will Harris can go back to primarily playing special teams, regardless of any further injury concerns in the secondary. Phillips has one year left on his contract after this year, but there's no guaranteed salary for 2024.