Do we care about making this team better. Judon might help this team get six wins. What he would do most for this team is give them something like the 8-9th pick in the 2025 draft rather than a top 5 pick. If that is the case, this trade gives the Patriots more value.
People need to that unless this offensive line miraculously pulls itself together, Maye plays and immediately starts to live up to his potential, and the rookie WRs hit big; this team is going to be one of the 5-10 worst teams in the NFL. With or without Judon. Possible in the top 3 again.
I don't care about keeping player who will make this team go from awful to really, really bad. We are year one in a rebuild. We will experience what most other teams have had to deal with at least at times during our dynasty run. Spending several years as a cellar dweller before they could try to be a contender again.
I am glad the Patriots didn't spend a lot of money to get average players to make this team mediocre to win 7-8 games. As long as this team drafts well and is properly managed (which we will have to see), spending several years as cellar dwellers can pay dividends. I mean that is the 2000s Colts built their team. They weren't the Patriots, but they were better than everyone else.