Patriots eye receiver Brandon Aiyuk from 49ers

The New England Patriots are looking for a top receiver, especially after missing out on Tee Higgins in free agency. They have a new quarterback, Drake Maye, but need reliable targets. One potential option is wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk, who signed a four-year contract worth $120 million last year, could be available for trade. He is currently recovering from a knee injury. According to analyst Michael Hanich, the Patriots might need to give up a third- to fifth-round draft pick to acquire Aiyuk while assuming his full salary. Aiyuk just turned 27, so he has time to grow as a player. The Patriots have two third-round picks in this year's draft that they could use for this trade. Acquiring Aiyuk could provide Maye with a much-needed top receiver. However, the financial cost is significant. The Patriots would face an $11 million cap hit in 2025, and it would rise to $44 million by 2028. There is a potential exit strategy after 2026, with a smaller dead cap hit if the team decides to let him go. While the Patriots could take this risk, they still need to resolve their need for a strong receiving option. If they do not trade for Aiyuk, they must explore other ways to improve their offense.