We're just a few weeks away from the start of free agency, and the Patriots are already connected to a few potential trades to drastically improve their roster after making a Super Bowl run.
At the top of the list remains wide receiver George Pickens, who has been highlighted as their main free-agent target, or trade candidate if the Cowboys decide to franchise tag him, and according to NFL reporter Judy Battista, they plan to do just that.
As of Monday morning, Stephen Jones revealed that Dallas plans to tag Pickens by next week and spoke highly of wanting to keep the receiver around. That means if the Patriots want to get him in the door, they'll have to jump through hoops to get the Cowboys to entertain trade conversations.
Stephen Jones says Cowboys will finalize franchise tag for George Pickens in the next week. “We think the world of him. We want him here,” he said.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) February 23, 2026
Unfortunately, that means it won't be cheap, either. But if they believe he is the right guy to boost their offense and become Drake Maye's go-to guy, then they'll have to make a can't say no offer.
The Patriots now know that they'll have to attempt trading for George Pickens this offseason
After signing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency last year, the Patriots' receiving corps was in much better shape than it had been in a long time. Both veterans elevated the group to a level that the offense needed, especially second-year quarterback Maye.
But the inconsistency throughout the year, particularly in the postseason, made it clear that they needed more firepower to get them to the next level, and Pickens fits that completely.
Not only is he one of the youngest available receivers in this year's free agency class, which makes him even more desirable for what the Patriots are prioritizing with their roster, but he's reliable and consistent, while also providing an explosive option for quarterbacks, and that's exactly what Maye will need to flourish in 2026.
The problem is that it will require a blockbuster deal to get the Cowboys to budge, and although it would be expensive, it might be worth it.
Looking at the pending group of free agents, there's no player that looks to be the kind of needle mover that the offense needs, and it looks more and more like a trade will be the only way of achieving that this year.
That puts Pickens at the top of the list, among others like AJ Brown and maybe even DJ Moore, and now Vrabel and Co. know far in advance what they'll have to do to make it happen. We'll just have to see how motivated they are to get it done. History doesn't make it look like a real possibility, though.