Should the Patriots Trade for Julius Peppers?

When Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel were traded to Kansas City, my thoughts instantly went to the cap space freed up by the move. Trading Cassel and Vrabel opened up nearly $20 million in cap space, and the Patriots have obvious holes in their roster that need to be filled.

However, there is one luxury on the open market. The Carolina Panthers have stated that they are willing to listen to trade talks for defensive end Julius Peppers. Peppers, like Cassel, was franchised in the off-season. He is due to make $16.65 million in 2009, but a trade could allow for a restructured contract and a long-term deal. Peppers has vehemently stated that he wants out of Carolina, and the Patriots have the draft picks to move to acquire a player of Peppers' caliber.

However, the Patriots would need to address the elephant in the room: Richard Seymour. Seymour counts as $9.7 million against the Patriots cap, but is he really worth that kind of money?

In fifteen games in 2008, Seymour came close to a career year, with 52 tackles and eight sacks, his highest totals in each category since 2003. However, his eight sacks tied for 17th in the NFL, behind players who make significantly less than he does. The 29 year-old defensive end is entering the last year of his contract, the same time as Vince Wilfork and Jarvis Green, two defensive linemen with tremendous potential and who are valuable as defensive ends or interior linemen.

While Peppers won't come cheap or count cheap against the salary cap, his value is skyrocketing as he enters into his prime. Peppers had a monstrous 2008, with 14.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and five passes defended. In his seven years with the Panthers, Peppers has 70.5 sacks and 340 tackles. Like Seymour, he is 29 years old, and like Seymour, he is a giant on the field (Seymour stands 6-foot-6, whereas Peppers is 6-foot-7).

If the Patriots decide that the financial commitment is worth the investment, they could part ways with one of their three second-round picks and possibly a late-round pick. However, in acquiring Peppers, it will all but signal the end of Richard Seymour's run in Foxboro.