The New England Patriots needed a wide receiver desperately before they signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $63.5 million contract -- but even that move doesn't wipe wideout off the list of the team's priorities.
Quarterback Drake Maye is entering his second season and needs as much help on the offensive line as he does when it comes to skill position players. Diggs has been a Pro Bowler four times in his career, but a torn ACL cost him half of last season and he will play in 2025 at 32 years old.
The Patriots own the No. 4 pick in April's NFL draft and it's possible that CB/WR Travis Hunter could fall to that spot. However, if he doesn't, and if Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter is also off the board, there may not be a player at a position of need for the Patriots worth the value of the fourth overall selection. In that case, New England makes a good deal of sense as a team willing to trade down and pick up a highly-valued asset in return.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell authored a trade proposal in which the Patriots flip the No. 4 pick and offensive guard Cole Strange to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 11 overall selection and acquire $120 million receiver Brandon Aiyuk in the process.
"In a draft without many upper-echelon receiving prospects, the Patriots could try to cut the line and get quarterback Drake Maye a running mate alongside new signing Stefon Diggs," Barnwell wrote on Monday, March 31. "They were reportedly interested in Aiyuk a year ago, and despite his extension with the 49ers, rumors about his availability have continued this spring."
Aiyuk also suffered a knee injury last year, tearing both his ACL and MCL in October. However, the former second-team All-Pro will play next season at just 27 years old and would provide a safety net against another Diggs injury, and vice versa. Aiyuk topped 1,000 yards receiving with the 49ers in both 2022 and 2023.
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