The New England Patriots enter training camp with one of the most wide open wide receiver room competitions in the league with names Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker, and Efton Chism III all trying to earn a consistent role in this revamped passing attack with Drake Maye under center.
Well, one trade pitch would see the Patriots add another dynamic pass-catching weapon to roster ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Patriots Trade Pitch Sees New England Acquire TE Kyle Pitts from the Atlanta Falcons
Brandon Austin of PFSN pitched a trade scenario that could happen ahead of the 2025 NFL season by having the Atlanta Falcons trade former Pro Bowl TE Kyle Pitts to the New England Patriots in exchange for TE Austin Hooper and a future 2026 third-round pick.
Austin wrote, “The Atlanta Falcons appear more open to moving Kyle Pitts after a disappointing 2024 season, so the New England Patriots could come knocking if he’s made available. Once a top-5 draft pick and Pro Bowler, Pitts posted a career low 602 receiving yards last year with just four touchdowns over 17 games.”
Pitts drop in production from what was an outstanding rookie year with 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a score back in 2021 has been puzzling to say the least.
Failing to top 55 receptions or 700 yards receiving in three straight years has certainly dropped his trade market value, which could open the door for a team like New England to take a chance a player with past production and a great physical profile.
Austin added, “or New England, acquiring Pitts addresses a clear need. The Patriots have a league-high $60 million in cap space and lack an explosive pass-catching tight end to complement Hunter Henry. Pitts, who’s still only 24 and boasts elite measurables, would fit perfectly in Josh McDaniels’ two-tight-end formations and offer potential as a dynamic target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye.”
Sending Hooper to Atlanta in exchange for Pitts certainly feels like a gamble worth making given Pitts’ athletic profile and could form one of the better pass-catching TE duos in the league alongside Hunter Henry.
Austin further dissected the trade pitch by writing, “A swap involving tight end Austin Hooper and a 2026 third-round pick would give Atlanta depth and a valuable Day 2 selection, while allowing New England to take a low-risk chance on Pitts’ potential breakout in a contract year. The Patriots gain a high-upside target to nurture Maye’s development, and if Pitts fails to thrive, they can part ways in 2026 with minimal long-term impact.”
Could the New England Patriots Consider Adding Another Veteran WR Ahead of the 2025 NFL Season?
The health of Stefon Diggs will likely be the determining factor as to whether or not the Patriots would consider adding another veteran receiver to mix, but names like Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are still without a team with training camps starting across the league.
Both veteran players are coming off of down years but could offer a young quarterback like Maye a reliable go-to veteran in the passing game if Diggs suffers any sort of setback early in camp.
Ultimately, if Diggs is ready to go and one of the younger receivers on the roster show some promise in the preseason, the Patriots may choose to forego signing another veteran receiver entering the 2025 NFL season.
