The New England Patriots have put in a lot of work this offseason as they attempt to properly rebuild their team this time around. After failing to do so with Mac Jones as their quarterback of the future, they locked in on Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft, and selected him with the third overall pick to come in and fill that role for them now.
Prior to that, the Patriots front office worked hard on keeping their current core pieces in town, and they have done a great job at accomplishing that goal. Players like Michael Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, and Kendrick Bourne have all re-signed with the team on new deals this offseason, and while there hasn’t been a ton of external talent brought in, New England is hoping to have provided themselves with a platform from which they can build off of moving forward.
There are still some glaring holes on this roster with the draft in the rearview mirror, and while they aren’t likely to address them further, they could technically pull off a big trade in an effort to further reinforce their roster. So with that in mind, let’s check out a pair of trade targets New England could look at if they feel like improving their current squad.
The Patriots swung and missed on Calvin Ridley in free agency, watching him go and sign with the Tennessee Titans instead. While they added K.J. Osborn in free agency, and drafted Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, it still feels like there is more work to be done at the position. Clearly, the front office feels that way too given how they tried to sign Ridley, and then made an effort to trade for Brandon Aiyuk during the draft.
Aiyuk is one of a handful of wide receivers looking for a new contract this offseason, but to this point, he and the San Francisco 49ers have made little progress in their quest to find common ground. That has led to him popping up in a handful of trade rumors, and for a point in time, it seemed like he was about to get dealt to New England ahead of the draft.
Instead, he stayed put, leaving many Patriots fans fed up with their team’s lack of a number one wideout. While this ship has likely passed, Aiyuk’s situation is worth keeping an eye on, because if things go downhill with the Niners, the Pats need to be one of the first team’s calling them to make a new trade offer.
After being drafted with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk has steadily improved over the first four years of his career, which led to him earning a spot on the All-Pro second team in 2023 for his strong play in San Fran’s high-powered offense (75 REC, 1342 YDS, 7 TD). Aiyuk has quickly become one of the most lethal all-around playmakers in the game, to the point where he may have become the Niners top wideout over the likes of another All-Pro star in Deebo Samuel.
Aiyuk would need an extension obviously, which is part of the reason why trading for him would be so difficult. But he’s only 26 years old, and will continue to be one of the better pass-catchers in the league for years to come. Beyond that, Aiyuk’s ability to create separation and make plays at all three levels of the field is incredibly valuable, and realistically, that’s what New England needs in their wide receiver room right now.
Getting Maye some top targets on offense is crucial, even if he may only play sparingly as a rookie. Right now, he doesn’t exactly have a top target on this roster, but there are several existing options who could be brought in to fill that void. Aiyuk is easily the best of the bunch, and while it would be a shock to see the 49ers move on from him at this point, if they do, New England needs to pony up and make them an offer they can’t refuse.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Given the team’s need, and the number of guys who could end up being available at this position on the trade market, it makes the most sense for New England’s top two trade targets to be wide receivers. And while he’s not likely to be moved just like Aiyuk, Tee Higgins seems a bit more likely to be dealt by the Cincinnati Bengals before the start of the season.
The main reason for that is because Higgins has requested a trade, rescinded it, only to request a trade again this offseason. Despite the fact he is coming off of a rough 2023 campaign (42 REC, 656 YDS, 5 TD), Higgins wants a new deal that the Bengals haven’t been willing to give him. Again, there has been virtually no momentum towards a new deal here, so Cincy could ultimately decide to move on from him.
Higgins’ situation is a bit more unique considering how poorly he played last season, although it’s worth noting he missed five games due to injuries, and the Bengals offense was anemic for most of the year, even when Joe Burrow was on the field. It wasn’t all that encouraging to see Higgins struggle, but looking back on the season, it does at least make a bit of sense.
The Patriots need a big-play threat who can stretch the field, and that’s precisely what Higgins is. Standing at 6’4, Higgins has a size advantage over many of the cornerbacks he goes up against, and he’s great at hauling in contested catches. He’s benefited from playing alongside Ja’Marr Chase and receiving less attention in recent years, so he would have to step up and be a true number one option in New England.
Again, Higgins would need an extension if a trade were to get made, but the Patriots have a ton of cap space to work with. It would be a bit more risky than trading for Aiyuk, but New England needs all the help they can get at wide receiver, so it’s a move they have to at least consider. If Higgins’ situation continues to spiral, the Patriots should have a trade offer ready to go in the event the Bengals decide to deal him.
