Just hours until the NFL's deadline for teams to cut down their rosters to 53 players for the regular season, the New England Patriots have wasted little time making moves.

The Patriots have cut 12 players so far, in addition to trading for Verderian Lowe from the Minnesota Vikings and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. from the Cleveland Browns to strengthen their offensive line depth. However, the Patriots may be looking to add to another position as well.

According to a new report from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, New England is also hoping to trade for a tight end.
"I would keep an eye on the potential they trade for a tight end," Breer said in an appearance last weekend on NBC Sports Boston's Sports Sunday. "I think that's on their radar."

Why? The Patriots already have Hunter Henry - who was a training camp standout - and signed former Miami Dolphin Mike Gesicki in free agency. 

Though Gesicki is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in a camp practice, that doesn't seem to be the reason why the Patriots would want more help at tight end. Rather, Breer suggests they want a third option that can excel as a blocker in the running game.

"Look at teams that have had coaching changes in the last couple of years," Breer said. "There are a couple of names there."

Without Breer mentioning any specific names, Tommy Tremble of the Carolina Panthers and Mercedes Lewis of the Chicago Bears might be logical options.  
We'd add former Denver Broncos fourth-round pick Albert Okwuegbunam as another possibility. The former Missouri Tiger impressed in the Broncos preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, totaling seven receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown in the 41-0 win. 

But with Greg Dulcich being the projected starter with Chris Manhertz and Adam Trautman on the depth chart ahead of Okwuegbunam, the Broncos could part with the third-year tight end.

Another option, which wouldn't require the Patriots to make a trade, is O.J. Howard. Still only 28, he was cut by the Las Vegas Raiders at the beginning of August just months after signing with them in free agency.

While Howard has yet to live up to his first-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, he'd give the Patriots a veteran backup behind Henry and Gesicki.