“Sometimes it’s just other teams throwing [stuff] at the wall and just see what sticks and make a stir in other buildings.”
Carlton Davis isn’t expected to be moved before Tuesday’s trade deadline. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Five days away from the NFL trade deadline, it’s unclear whether the New England Patriots hope to be buyers or sellers, or possibly a mix of both.
But while some rumors — including the suggestion that Christian Barmore could be made available — seem to hold some real weight, there’s one name swirling that reportedly isn’t on the table: Carlton Davis.
It was reported that Davis might be a possible trade candidate this season, on the basis of the Patriots possibly looking to get younger. But Davis has been a solid No. 2 corner in his two seasons with New England, and the three-headed monster of Davis, Christian Gonzalez, and Marcus Jones is a solution that’s working well when all three are available.
Speaking on his “Pats Interference” podcast Friday, Boston Herald Patriots reporter Andrew Callahan dismissed the Davis rumors in a definitive manner.
“I don’t think we need to waste any more oxygen on the Carlton Davis piece, so I will add that having checked in on this, there are people in the Patriots building who are baffled at the suggestion that Carlton Davis is actively being shopped,” Callahan said. “Sometimes its just other teams throwing [stuff] at the wall and just see what sticks and make a stir in other buildings.”
And as Callahan’s co-host Derrik Klassen pointed out, New England is awfully shaky at corner behind its three stars. Charles Woods hasn’t looked particularly excellent in his spurts of playing time during the Patriots’ injury trouble in the secondary. And the corners behind him have virtually no NFL starting experience.
So, if the Patriots are looking to remain competitive — and they have no reason not to be — trading Davis is almost a nonsensical move anyways, unless they are eyeing a trade to improve the corner position. But again, there’s already strength at that position, and New England has far weaker position groups it would likely address long before making a move for a corner.
The Patriots are sitting at 5-3 and poised to make the playoffs once again with Maye leading the charge. A strong trade deadline would certainly help them fly through the rest of the season. But if Callahan’s sources are any indication, Davis will not be part of any deadline plans.
Colin McCarthySports producer
Colin McCarthy is a sports producer who covers Boston’s professional teams and national sports news.
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