As the 2024 NFL trade deadline approaches, the New England Patriots have several key players to watch, with veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones being one of the most notable trade candidates.
Currently a starter, Jones seems misaligned with the Patriots’ long-term strategy. Trading him now could yield valuable returns.
Drake Maye has instilled some optimism for the franchise’s future, but that future is still a few years away. At 31, Jones doesn’t fit into that timeline, making it wise for New England to maximize his draft pick value before moving on.
Chad Graff from The Athletic has proposed a trade sending Jones to the Minnesota Vikings for a sixth-round draft pick. He notes that under Brian Flores, Minnesota’s defense has excelled, and the Vikings could benefit from additional depth at cornerback. Flores has already brought in former Patriot Stephon Gilmore this year, suggesting Jones could follow suit.
Jones would enhance the Vikings’ defensive lineup, which is shaping up as a strong contender in the NFC. So far this season, he has played in all seven games for the Patriots, accumulating 27 tackles, a forced fumble, and three defended passes. His track record indicates he can create turnovers and make significant plays.
Given his skill set, Jones would form a formidable cornerback duo with Gilmore. While other teams might also be interested in him, if the Patriots can spark a bidding war and secure a fifth-round pick, that would be ideal. However, trading him for a sixth-round pick would still represent a solid outcome, allowing New England to gain value from a player who doesn’t fit their future plans.
