Yeah, I wouldn’t rule it out. Signing Sheard gave them a viable third defensive end so you have to consider his presence means something when it comes to Ninkovich and Chandler, even if it’s just reducing their ridiculous snap totals. But I wouldn’t count on any of the rookies to immediately step in and make Chandler expendable.
The sexy thing Patriot fans would undoubtedly want would be a cornerback in return, but projecting a trade is so hard to do. Though I’m sure there would be plenty of teams interested in Chandler.
As for 2016 I think it feeds back into linebackers being more valuable than defensive linemen and ends in Belichick’s system. Going back to the 3-4 when the defensive line was just there to eat space so the linebackers could make the plays. That 3-4 defense isn’t really relevant to their game-to-game scheme now, but I think the philosophy largely remains. So yeah, Hightower and Collins are priorities in my eyes over Chandler.
Adding 3 or 4 defensive ends this offseason was necessary given the lack of depth and it’s not crazy to read the tea leaves and think Ninkovich could start slowing down and Chandler could depart. The draft is about a year or two down the line more than it is about this year.
I don’t think it’s crazy to think trading Chandler for a good corner would make the defense better, but if I had to bet, it would be on Chandler playing this last year out.