DK Metcalf has been surfacing in trade rumors as the NFL scouting combine winds down in Indianapolis.
Most of the buzz had surrounded the Green Bay Packers' reported interest in the All-Pro wideout, but he's become a player of interest for the New England Patriots.
New England has $127-plus million in salary cap space. But, rather than trading for a No. 1 pass-catcher, general manager Eliot Wolf would preferably use a chunk of that money to sign one.
The Patriots' top targets to accomplish that were Tee Higgins, who was franchise tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, and Chris Godwin per the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed and Andrew Callahan.
Though the contingency plan for if those targets can't be secured would be to trade for Metcalf.
"The front office has nonetheless kicked the tires on a potential trade for Seattle’s DK Metcalf, per source," Kyed and Callahan reported. "While [they] weighs the ripple effects of making a player they’re not familiar with, like Metcalf, the new highest-paid player on the team."
The Patriots have been bereft for a true No. 1 wideout throughout the last several years; tight end Hunter Henry leading the team in both catches and yards in 2024.
Adding a player of Metcalf's pedigree to the fold would reflect an instant impact in quarterback Drake Maye's production.
The duo also added that new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has, "mandated play demeanor and football character as non-negotiables when targeting players, so he can rapidly re-establish a winning culture."
Seattle's interest in dealing a receiver who has provided it three 1,000-plus yard seasons remains to be seen. Seahawks general manager recently downplayed the rumors on the market for Metcalf.
“Really, when you look at it — a lot of big-name guys on every team, there’s always that like agent talk out there,” Schneider said on "PFT Live" last week. “And so, yeah, unless you guys know something I don’t.”
