The New England Patriots, holding the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, are in a strong position with considerable leverage. There’s speculation that they might trade this pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and additional draft assets. Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated proposed a trade scenario where Aiyuk would be sent to New England in return for the fourth pick. This potential move is seen as a realistic possibility by some analysts close to the 49ers.
“The 49ers also should call the Patriots and offer them Aiyuk, the 11th pick and the 43rd pick for the 4th pick, which they could use to take Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter or Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, while the Patriots would get a No. 1 wide receiver to pair with Drake Maye,” Cohn wrote on March 17, adding:
“Instead of trading Aiyuk for a player who might turn out to be nothing more than a backup, trade him in a package deal for a foundational player, someone the 49ers can build around for the next decade.”
Patriots Have Shown Interest in Trading for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk Before
In 2023, Brandon Aiyuk had a standout season, starting 16 games and recording 75 receptions for 1,342 yards, averaging an impressive 17.9 yards per catch, along with seven touchdowns. He also had seven games with over 100 receiving yards and earned second-team All-Pro honors. In the postseason, Aiyuk continued his strong play, catching nine passes for 149 yards and a touchdown over three games.
Back in the summer of 2024, reports surfaced that the Patriots had taken notice of Aiyuk’s talent and were interested in him, adding fuel to speculation about a potential trade involving the wide receiver.
“The Patriots aggressively pursued the Second-Team All-Pro wide receiver on the trade market this offseason, sending trade proposals to the San Francisco 49ers both prior to the NFL Draft in April and during Aiyuk’s training camp holdout in early August,” NBC Sports Boston reported.
“If a deal had gotten done, it would have been for a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick and (Patriots wide receiver) Kendrick Bourne,” NFL insider Albert Breer also noted, via NBC Sports.
Despite strengthening their defense through free agency, the Patriots’ offense still lacks a true No. 1 wide receiver to pair with Maye. The team has been linked to several high-profile receivers, such as Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin, but has yet to secure one.
Brandon Aiyuk, known for his precise route-running and playmaking ability, could be the player to elevate the Patriots’ passing game. His addition would provide Maye with a reliable target capable of stretching the field and creating big plays.
Could such a trade be feasible? Potentially. The Patriots would gain a proven wide receiver in Aiyuk, while the 49ers could use the fourth overall pick to land a top-tier prospect, perhaps addressing other needs. It seems like a win-win for both teams, depending on how they view their future strategies.
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