The New England Patriots had great injury luck last season. The opposite has been true this year.

Injuries have hit the Patriots very hard, especially at wide receiver and the offensive line.

The Patriots have overcome these injuries pretty well with a 4-3 record despite playing a difficult schedule. But it's a long season, and we're not even halfway through.

Adding valuable depth before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline would be beneficial to the Patriots and help improve their chances of not only reaching the playoffs, but also making another deep run.

The Patriots traded a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder to get star wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles back in June, so it's fair to wonder how much premium draft capital they'll be willing to give up at this deadline. New England also has the lowest amount of salary cap space of any team right now at just $1.5 million, per ESPN's Mike Reiss, but cap space can be created in a variety of ways.

Which positions should the Patriots try to bolster with trade-deadline additions? Let's break down the areas most in need of an upgrade (in no particular order).

Run-stuffing defensive tackle

Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The Patriots don't have a bad run defense, but it could certainly be better. They rank 24th in team run stuff rate, 12th in rushing yards per play allowed, 14th in rushing EPA per play allowed, and 15th in rushing yards allowed over expected, per Next Gen Stats.

So, maybe slightly above average.

If you look at potential playoff matchups in the AFC, many of the teams the Patriots could play in January -- Chiefs (Kenneth Walker), Bills (James Cook), Jaguars (Bhayshul Tuten), Browns (Quinshon Judkins) -- have a quality running back and/or a quarterback capable of making plays with his legs.

Stopping the run in the playoffs, assuming the Patriots make it, will be crucial. It wouldn't hurt to target a run-stuffing nose tackle.

Grover Stewart of the Colts is one player who would fit that role well. He's been an underrated player for some time. Stewart is 33, so he's not a long-term solution, but as a rental he's a good option to consider. ESPN's Adam Schefter said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show that the Colts "will get calls" on Stewart.

What about Titans star Jeffery Simmons? Mike Vrabel coached him during his tenure in Tennessee. Simmons has Pro Football Focus' 14th-highest run defense grade (minimum 80-plus run snaps) among interior defensive linemen through seven weeks.

Another option is Roy Lopez of the Arizona Cardinals. He has the 12th-best PFF run defense grade among defensive tackles (minimum 80-plus run snaps) this season. If the Buccaneers are willing to sell, could A'Shawn Robinson be available? He has Pro Football Focus' second-highest run defense grade for defensive tackles. The Bucs are 2-5, but the NFC South leaders are 3-3, so Tampa Bay could still make a run for the division title.

Safety

Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard are a strong duo at safety, but the depth behind them isn't very encouraging.

The Patriots acquired safety Jaylen Reed from the Houston Texans as part of the Kayshon Boutte trade in August, but he's only played 27 percent of the team's defensive snaps. He hasn't given the Patriots much when he's been on the field, either.

An injury to Woodson or Byard could make the safety position an area of genuine concern.

If the Colts have a firesale, safety Cam Bynum would be a player worth targeting. He tallied at least two interceptions and eight pass breakups in each of the last three seasons.

Offensive lineman

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This is an obvious one.

The Patriots are probably OK at tackle. Will Campbell has battled injuries over the last two years, but he hasn't missed any games this season and is playing well. Campbell did leave Week 5 early with a knee injury but returned the following game. Rookie Caleb Lomu has impressed at both left and right tackle when called upon. Morgan Moses hasn't missed a game, but he did exit Week 6 early due to an ankle injury.

The real problem area is guard.

Starting right guard Mike Onwenu is on IR due to a fractured ankle. Starting left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker missed Week 7 with a hamstring injury and it's unknown when he'll return. He's also on IR. Vera-Tucker has missed a ton of games due to injuries throughout his career, so his availability is not guaranteed.

Backup guard Ben Brown also missed Week 7 due to a knee injury, but he returned to practice this week. Another backup guard, Greg Van Roten, has been on injured reserve the last four weeks but is eligible to be activated for Sunday's game.

The top guard available on the trade market -- Colts eight-time Pro Bowler Quenton Nelson -- was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. Other potential targets at guard include Andrew Wylie of the Washington Commanders, Jackson Powers-Johnson of the Las Vegas Raiders and Ben Bredeson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wylie can play tackle or guard.

It would behoove the Patriots to at least add a depth player at one of these offensive line positions before the trade deadline.

Cornerback

The Patriots have had their depth at cornerback tested in recent weeks.

Here's an overview of games missed by cornerbacks this season:

• Christian Gonzalez: Two games missed
• Carlton Davis: Four games missed
• Karon Prunty: Four games missed
• Channing Canada: Four games missed

Davis' absence is an important one because he is the team's No. 2 corner and a veteran with Super Bowl-winning experience.

Would the 2-5 Eagles be willing to trade veteran cornerback Riq Woolen? Would the Chargers listen on Donte Jackson?

Edge rusher

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

This position was a concern entering the season, but Elijah Ponder and rookie Gabe Jacas have been very effective at pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Dre'Mont Jones has had a few good games, too.

Overall, the Patriots rank 15th in pressure rate and 11th in sack percentage, and they also have the sixth-best team average time to pressure.

This group has exceeded expectations so far, but you can never really have enough depth at edge rusher. And if the Patriots are going to have multiple cornerbacks at less than 100 percent health throughout the season, then it would help the defense to have the best pass rush possible.

The Patriots are still one injury from being pretty thin at edge rusher. And it's unknown when Harold Landry III will make his season debut, or how effective he'll be if he does get on the field.

The Washington Commanders are unlikely to make the playoffs. Would they be willing to part with K'Lavon Chaisson? He had 7.5 sacks for the Patriots last season before leaving to sign with the Commanders as a free agent. He has 2.5 sacks in six games this year.

The Chargers are a disaster with an 0-6 record. Could veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack be available for the right price? Mack isn't a dominant player at this stage of his career, but he's still a good pass rusher. He has three sacks and 16 pressures in six games for the Chargers.

Wide receiver

The Patriots should get Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs back at some point, and when that happens, they'll have good depth at the position.

If injuries at wideout persist or get worse, maybe this is an area the Patriots try to upgrade.

Colts wideout Josh Downs could be available. Downs is a good route runner against man coverage and has a history with Drake Maye. Downs and Maye enjoyed two productive seasons together at the University of North Carolina in 2022 and 2023.