Patriots
The Patriots will make an early selection on the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, placing them at No. 34 overall. But it's possible they determine to make use of their high second-round pick on a special style of addition.
New England has approached the San Francisco 49ers a few Brandon Aiyuk trade. NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran reported ahead of the primary round of the draft.
While Aiyuk has been involved in trade rumors for a lot of the offseason, the 49ers appeared so as to add momentum to it on Thursday. They used their first-round pick on Florida fullback Ricky Pearsall, potentially giving them an Aiyuk alternative.
If the 49ers are willing to trade Aiyuk after signing Pearsall, the Patriots are a possible landing spot as a consequence of their high pick within the second round. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport said this on NFL Network's broadcast of the draft. The Commanders, who hold picks Nos. 36 and 40, were also mentioned by Rapoport as a possible trade partner for Aiyuk.
Aiyuk is entering the ultimate season of his rookie contract and is in search of an extension.
“I'm trying to get what I deserve,” Aiyuk told the “Nightcap” podcast in March. “I feel like this season, this season of playing football, I've figured out who I am as a person and a player, what I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization. “And exactly the value that I have when I enter this building.”
The 49ers have also stated that they would really like Aiyuk to stay in San Francisco. General manager John Lynch said the 2 sides were working on a deal and that Aiyuk was not available for a trade when he spoke to reporters on the NFL's league meetings in March.
Contrary to Lynch's wishes, social media activity from Aiyuk and people near him suggests that the receiver is comfortable playing somewhere aside from San Francisco. Shortly after the 49ers' Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, Aiyuk's girlfriend and shut friend stated that he had played his last game with the team.
Aiyuk recently fueled these rumors. In early April, he appeared to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, creating much more buzz that he is perhaps done in San Francisco.
Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne expressed his desire for the team to trade for Aiyuk in a recent interview with Boston.com's Khari Thompson, because the two were teammates for a season in San Francisco.
“He’s my guy and I think he’ll fit in,” Bourne said. “Just being a one-on-one receiver at X. He can take up the whole half of the field, dominate and get a lot of attention. That’s important in our offense, the X receiver?”
Aiyuk will surely improve the Patriots' receiver room and provides recent quarterback Drake Maye a premier weapon. The 26-year-old had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, his fourth within the league.
image credit : www.boston.com