Cowboys-Patriots trade pitch gives Drake Maye new No. 1 wide receiver

The New England Patriots still have a need at wide receiver.

That was the case going into the offseason, even before the team decided to cut ties with Stefon Diggs due to his ballooning 2026 cap hit. Romeo Doubs is a fine addition, but he's a downgrade from Diggs and more help is still needed.

New England is reportedly interested in a trade for A.J. Brown, but until that deal actually happens, it's not something the Patriots can rely on.

The fact is, the Philadelphia Eagles don't have a ton of motivation to trade him because of the dead money and the gaping hole he would leave behind.

Knowing that, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton has pitched a trade between the Patriots and Dallas Cowboys that would send wide receiver George Pickens to New England.

"To avoid a potential holdout situation, Dallas can ship Pickens off to the New England Patriots, who have been heavily linked to wide receiver A.J. Brown in the rumor mill," Moton wrote.

"With $51.6 million in cap space, New England can afford to acquire Pickens and sign him to a lucrative extension, while quarterback Drake Maye is still a year away from being eligible for a new deal," Moton added.

Pickens is currently on the franchise tag, but the expectation is he won't report until a long-term deal gets done. A holdout would be a massive headache for the Cowboys and that potential scenario could lead to Dallas considering a trade.

Pickens is younger than Brown and will likely cost less in terms of draft capital, as the Eagles' asking price has been very high and is thoughts to be a first- and second-round pick. Pickens will likely cost a second-rounder, at most.

The Patriots would have to ink Pickens to an extension, but they have to money to do so, as Moton points out.

There is an inherent risk with Pickens due to his past behavioral issues, but the Patriots need to be all in after making it to the Super Bowl last season, so it's conceivable they'd take a swing on Pickens if available.

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