The New England Patriots overhauled their wide receiver room with the additions of Romeo Doubs and A.J. Brown this offseason. What was once a bit of a thin corps for this team might actually now have too many mouths to feed.
However, that doesn't mean this team should stop adding more firepower to the mix. All good things can be improved, and the front office should always keep an eye out for potential blue-chip reinforcements.
That's why the Patriots should be thrilled about Chris Olave's situation. His new deal has most definitely raised George Pickens' potential asking price, and the Dallas Cowboys may have no choice but to let him go.
The Patriots should be a player in the George Pickens sweepstakes
The New Orleans Saints just gave Olave a four-year deal worth up to $132 million, including $90 million guaranteed. Injuries aside, he's proven to be worth top dollar, but so has Pickens, who's currently slated to play under the franchise tag.
Pickens will make just under $28 million next season. Even knowing that he would've probably fetched more in free agency, he didn't complain, put his head down, and got to work without making any drama. That won't be the case next offseason.
The Cowboys put the ball on Pickens' court by saying that they wanted to see more from him before making a long-term commitment. If he balls out again in 2026, they'll run out of excuses, and he'll most definitely force his way out of Arlington if they franchise-tag him again.
They've already committed big bucks to Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Quinnen Williams, so they may have to make a choice. That's when the Patriots must be smart to pounce and try to get him to Foxborough.
According to Over The Cap, the Patriots have $23.5 million in available cap space in 2027, but there are always ways to drive up that number. Some guys will get cut, others will be traded, and some will restructure their deals. This team has healthy books and is in a strong position to spend big bucks on stars, even when they give Drake Maye an extension.
Granted, Pickens comes with much more than his playmaking skills. He's got a bit of a temper, and he was a troublemaker with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He stayed mostly out of trouble in his first season with the Cowboys, but the mere fact that they didn't fully commit to him after a career-best season signals that there are still some concerns.
That said, the Patriots have more than enough experience dealing with hot-headed guys. Mike Vrabel is a player's coach, but he's also a no-nonsense guy who'll make sure everyone stays in line while he's calling the shots.
Despite his injuries, Olave is making $31 million a year. That's a far cry from Jaxon Smith-Njigba's league-leading $42.1 million, but it will inevitably raise Pickens' asking price past the $32 million threshold. The Cowboys better be ready to pay up, or the Patriots will.
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