Patriots could make a surprising decision at wideout

The Patriots' wide receiver group's numbers will look different when New England takes the field in Chicago for their Week 10 game.

The NFL trade deadline is set for Tuesday, and wideout could be the focus for Eliot Wolf and company over the next few days. The Patriots currently have too many receivers on their depth chart and a good portion of them make sense as potential trade candidates.

KJ Osborn, a fourth-year pass catcher who could be a prospect of interest, certainly fits that mold. But even if New England can't find a trade for Osborn, it could still cut ties with him.

“One of the key questions is whether five-year veteran KJ Osborn, who may struggle to make an impact on the game-day roster as the team prioritizes youth, will be a conditional late draft pick in a deal before Tuesday's trade deadline could give a round.” wrote ESPN's Mike Reiss in a column published Sunday.

“If not, and the health outlook at the position doesn't change heading into Sunday's game, the team could consider helping Osborn – who some in the organization have described as a true professional – by simply releasing him.”

Osborn, who signed a one-year deal in New England this offseason, would likely welcome a change of scenery. He doesn't seem very happy with his role with the Patriots, who should rely on their younger and inexperienced players in a losing season.

However, some playoff-hopeful teams need receiver help, so New England may be able to make a deal for Osborn instead of losing him for nothing.