NFL Trade Deadline: Patriots Acquire Aqib Talib From Buccaneers

Sep 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib (25) returns an interception in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Once again, the New England Patriots are playing the low-risk, high reward potential when players become available in the NFL, and this time, they’ve bolstered their secondary in doing so.

The Patriots surrendered merely a fourth round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for cornerback Aqib Talib, who has a history of issues since he came into the league but also a ton of talent. The Patriots also acquired a seventh round pick in 2013 as part of the deal.

Talib has shut-down potential at the cornerback position, and is in the final year of his contract. He will serve one more game of a four game suspension before making his Patriots debut, so this could wind up being just a half-year rental, but I think it’s a good move.

The former Kansas Jayhawk has 18 career interceptions, and just couldn’t get on the same page with the new head man in Tampa Bay, and they decided it was time to move on.

The only other notable move at the NFL trade deadline was the acquisition of wide receiver Mike Thomas by the Detroit Lions. The former Arizona Wildcat standout spent the first couple of years of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.