This year's NFL trade deadline falls on Election Day.
And just like many Americans are heading to the polls early to cast their ballots, many NFL trades might also happen early.
According to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, who spoke to a league source, most of this year's deals are expected to take place by Wednesday or Thursday of this week, well ahead of that November 3 trade deadline.
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The reason? The league's COVID-19 protocols.
NFL trade deadline: Top WRs for Patriots to consider
If teams wait until the Nov. 3 deadline to make deals, newly acquired players won't be able to play until Week 10 (Nov. 12-16) -- but any players traded by this coming Thursday, Oct. 29 could practice with their new teams the following Wednesday, in plenty of time to take the field for Week 9.
The Patriots play the final game of Week 9 when they travel to MetLife Stadium to play the Jets on Monday Night Football, so they have a little extra time to complete a deal in time to get any potential new players on the field.
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But for fans clamoring for extra help -- potentially in the form of a wide receiver, maybe even Detroit's Marvin Jones, as suggested by NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran -- keep an eye on the transaction wire this week in case the Patriots take care of business well ahead of the trade deadline.