FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots have already made a move ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Linebacker Joshua Uche moves to Kansas CitySo what else could it be?

Coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday he’s “not sure” how active the Patriots will be at the deadline. However, there are a handful of players that could attract interest if they consider selling. Names to watch include cornerback Jonathan Jones, nose tackle Davon Godchaux and wide receivers KJ Osborn and Kendrick Bourne.

“The guys there understand professional football and they understand this time of year,” Mayo said. “From our perspective as an organization, we’re always trying to get better, whether it’s bringing in players or adding through subtraction. “We need to look at both the short term and the long term.”

Unless the Patriots plan to re-sign them next summer, trading for players in the final year of their contracts is valuable. Jones and Osborn top the list of candidates who fall into this category, while others include quarterback Jacoby Brissett and tight end Austin Hooper.

For those arguing that the Patriots should have resisted a compensatory draft pick instead, it’s important to remember that the must-pick formula takes into account both lost and signed free agency. With the Patriots projected to have the most salary cap space in the NFL in 2025, incoming talent will likely outweigh outgoing talent, meaning the league is unlikely to give them any paid picks.

Now is the time to get draft capital for these players.

Perhaps a team in need of a cornerback could agree to a fourth-round pick in exchange for Jones. Or a team looking to increase its wide receiver depth could offer Osborn a late-round pick. Who would probably welcome the change of scenery?.

But Jones represents a dilemma for the Patriots: Should they hesitate to part with one of the locker room leaders who could help establish the Mayo culture during the rebuilding process?

There are reasons why shopping at Jones makes sense. He is 31 years old and does not fit into the organization’s current timeline. It can generate a meaningful enough return. But Jones was also the player who spoke in the locker room after the team’s embarrassing defeat to the Jaguars in London. He then heard the Patriots say “Oh, yeah!” He was the one who disrupted the crowd by saying: It’s the tradition that follows Sunday’s win over the Jets.

So could the Patriots be reluctant to let go of such a player? Especially considering the year the 2-6 team had? The Patriots have already lost two captains (center David Andrews and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley) to season-ending injuries and another (safety Jabrill Peppers) to the Commissioner’s Exempt List.

“We’re in the business of bringing in good players and keeping our good players,” Mayo said. “I think you bring up an interesting point about culture guys. I think it’s important. I also think it’s important for coaches to hire guys who really believe in the culture and where we’re trying to go. Of course, we take that into consideration.”

Jones, on the other hand, is saying all the right things before the deadline.

“Control what you can control,” he said. “I come to work every day, trying to do the same thing I always do. Whatever happens, happens. “I love going to work and playing football.”

Many of the other players whose names were floated as possible trade candidates expressed similar sentiments.

Should the Patriots be interested in a buyout now? Although his needs are wide-ranging, tackles, wideout defense, corner defense and edge defense rank high.

Perhaps the Patriots can find a situation where they can negotiate a deal for a young, talented player in the final year of his rookie contract. They then have the ability to sign the player to a lucrative extension and prevent him from entering free agency.

For example, at last year’s trade deadline, the Bears gave up a second-round pick on linebacker Montez Sweat, who was in the final year of his rookie contract with the Commanders, and then signed him to a four-year, $98 contract. million extension.

Mayo said he and vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf talk about the roster every day, and Mayo shares the team’s “game plan on the football side.” Although Mayo did not specify who has the final say on personnel moves, the pair are expected to be busy as they evaluate possible changes that could improve the squad.

“We look at the players, (Eliot’s) staff looks at the players, the coaches look at their individual positions and we make the decision that’s best for the organization,” Mayo said.

Nicole Yang can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @nicolecyang.