Patriots, Ravens Make Trade Ahead Of 2021 Season

The New England Patriots have added another defensive player to their roster ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports the Baltimore Ravens have traded rookie cornerback Shaun Wade to New England in exchange for multiple draft picks on Thursday (August 26), a source confirmed.

Baltimore will receive a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, according to the source.

The seventh-round pick was initially acquired by New England from the Houston Texans in exchange for veteran tight end Ryan Izzo.

Wade was selected in the fifth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but was set to be released by the Ravens as the team cuts its roster down to 53 players ahead of the upcoming season.

The former Ohio State standout was passed on the Ravens' depth chart by third-year cornerback Chris Westry.

The Patriots had a need at cornerback as Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore remains on the physically unable to perform list due to a quad injury and has asked for his contract situation to be addressed.

New England currently has J.C. Jackson and Jalen Mills listed as its starting cornerbacks, with Jonathan Jones at the slot position and second-year player Joejuan Williams -- who has never appeared in an NFL game -- listed next on the depth chart.