The New England Patriots had a busy Tuesday, signing slot cornerback and punt returner Marcus Jones to a three-year extension worth $36 million, then trading defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers and safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers in deals that included a swap of late-round draft picks.

The team also plans to sign rookie safety John Saunders Jr . off the Miami Dolphins ' practice squad to their 53-man roster to fill Dugger's void, per sources familiar with the Patriots' plan.

The moves come ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline (4 p.m. ET).

The Patriots (6-2) have been one of the NFL's surprise teams and are in first place in the AFC East , with the five-time defending division champion Buffalo Bills (5-2) directly behind them. The P

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