Wide receiver trades have been trendy this offseason, with the latest being the Dolphins sending Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos for a first-round pick and more. It's clear that teams are aware of the scarcity of free agent receivers, and those who will make the biggest impact on their offense will need to be traded for.
That's something the Patriots will need to seriously consider the rest of the offseason, as their options are beginning to fall off the board. There is a chance that a few previously considered untouchable players might become available; the top name being George Pickens.
The Cowboys chose to franchise tag him to give them more time to negotiate extension talks. But there's a chance a contract is never signed, and if it's not, insiders have already stated that Pickens will not show up to the Cowboys facility, inevitably forcing a trade.
But seeing what the Dolphins were able to get in a trade for a receiver not as highly touted as Pickens could also entice Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to get in on a trade, something that team expert Jerry Trotta believes could come to fruition in the near future.
The Cowboys might seriously consider moving on from George Pickens after seeing Jaylen Waddle's trade return
While the decision to trade Waddle wasn't totally unexpected, since he was dangled to teams ahead of last year's trade deadline, the draft capital the Broncos gave up to get the deal done was surprising and could complicate a lot of future deals, including AJ Brown, or entice teams to move on from one of their superstar receivers.
Pickens might fall into that category, especially since there haven't been many updates regarding extension negotiations since he signed the franchise tag earlier this offseason.
If they are not able to reach a long-term deal, their next best move would be to trade Pickens as soon as possible rather than watching him either not show up for the 2026 season or walk for nothing in free agency next year.
And if that's what happens, the Patriots need to pursue the wide receiver aggressively, even if there are questions about his behavior stemming from his days with the Steelers.
He's far too talented and an invaluable explosive option for Drake Maye to work with to pass on, and players like him don't just become available in the NFL. But when they do, more than half the league will be on the phone calling about getting a trade done.
The Patriots should be the first ones to make the call, and they should be willing to give up a first-rounder if that's what it takes. Pickens is an immediate and long-term upgrade for their receiving corps and provides the kind of athleticism their offense needs.
So if the Cowboys are willing to listen, or even if they aren't ready yet, Mike Vrabel and Co. should get on the phone, even more so since Waddle was dealt this week.