Patriots now know the trade price for receiver Jerry Jeudy

The Patriots have been connected to a handful of receivers over the past few weeks, including DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jerry Jeudy.

Insight about what Bill Belichick has been up to this week has been sporadically revealed by reporters throughout the days, from Patriots coaches in attendance at Beckham’s workout in Arizona to New England is one of the top three teams inquiring about Hopkins and Jeudy. It’s clear he’s actively working on adding more pass-catchers to the team for next season.

Now that free agency has begun, and we’ve seen Jakobi Meyers land elsewhere, the signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster seemed to fill the void of Meyers’ absence quickly. Because they are both similar-style players, Smith-Schuster is likely the former Patriots’ replacement in the offense.

Although he is capable and is experienced playing in the slot and on the outside, most assume Smith-Schuster will continue his success from last season in the slot on the Patriots, leaving them to find a bigger-bodied receiver to play on the boundary.

It’s possible that player will come from the draft since they pick at prime position in the first round at 14. But it’s also possible that it will come via trade, hence the team’s interest in a few specific receivers.

But at the same time, is it really a bad idea to have too much of a good thing on a team that has struggled to intimidate opposing defenses?

Despite not necessarily filling the need, Benjamin Allbright of KOA Radio shared on Thursday that the Patriots are one of the teams that called Denver about Jerry Jeudy last season and are still inquiring in recent days.

He also revealed the Broncos’ alleged asking price for the receiver, which many teams have said to feel is too high.

It’s not an outlandish ask for Denver to want a first-round pick straight up or an equalizer of a second-rounder and a player. Jeudy is a few weeks shy of 24 and has been in the league for three seasons, proving he can be one of the most electric receivers in the NFL.

Since 2020, he has totaled 157 receptions for 2,295 yards and nine touchdowns, with his most productive season just last year.

Other than instantly boosting the offense with his addition to the lineup, Jeudy was teammates with quarterback Mac Jones for two seasons at the University of Alabama. The chemistry built between them years ago and familiarity with each other may add to the allure of making the trade happen.

The most intriguing aspect is what the Patriots would be willing to give up to attain him. Since they’ve dabbled in trading for Hopkins, it seems fair to assume they’re at least contemplating giving up their second-round pick. But what player would they add to sweeten the deal?

As for just trading a first-rounder, however, that seems more unlikely. Unless they were planning on taking a receiver at 14th overall, a risk that most feel Belichick should not make after the N’Keal Harry disaster, trading for a veteran would be the safer route.