Proposed trade has Patriots acquire receiver not named Aiyuk or Higgins

With training camp well underway, there is still a lot of talk regarding the Patriots adding more talent on offense, especially to the receiving corps. They continue to be the subject of most trade proposals, especially involving Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins, but a new name has been added to the mix that might be a bit more intriguing than anticipated.

Because the Aiyuk and Higgins rumors continue to run rampant, there has been a focus on the new regime in Foxboro spending big bucks on a top-name player who the offensive roster has needed for quite some time.

The bleak futures of Aiyuk in San Francisco and Higgins in Cincinnati make them the most appealing, even more so when paired with a rookie quarterback like Drake Maye. However, this also complicates the possibility of their teams trading them.

Neither team seems all that interested in getting extensions done before the season begins, and they have been dragging their feet regarding any trade inquiries, which the Patriots have been involved in. This makes their pursuit of either Aiyuk or Higgins potentially pointless.

That, coupled with what has been deemed a lackluster receiver corps, prompted Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine to suggest the Patriots make an unexpected trade with a former arch-nemesis.

Patriots send a late-round pick for a proven New York Giants veteran

With improving the receiving corps around Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye, Ballentine suggests a bold trade with the Giants as an optimal opportunity for the Patriots to accomplish that.

He proposes they send a 2025 fifth-round pick to New York for five-year veteran Darius Slayton.

While Ballentine believes the team has a few breakout candidates in rookies Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk and the expectation of DeMario Douglas to build upon his rookie season, the rest of the roster is questionable at best.

To add proven talent to an otherwise inexperienced roster, he believes Slayton's presence makes a lot of sense for both the Patriots and the Giants.

"Bringing in Darius Slayton would fix that. The Giants receiver has never cracked 800 yards in a season but he's been remarkably consistent with over 700 yards in four of his five seasons. He's adept at using his speed to get open and has more experience than most of the names the Patriots are currently depending on.

The Giants have a new potential No. 1 receiver in Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson could be much more involved this season. Slayton skipped part of the Giants offseason program while seeking a new contract, but the Giants only gave him added incentives for the 2024 campaign.

That might have been enough to get him to camp, but it's not really a commitment to keeping him around."

Although he has only been considered a starter in three of his five seasons, Slayton has been productive and consistent and could bring that to the Patriots easily.

His stats might not be impressive to most, as he has recorded 220 receptions for 3,324 yards and 19 touchdowns, but it would be unfair not to consider who he's been catching passes from (Daniel Jones) and the competition for a starting spot on the roster.

It hasn't been ideal for him in New York, and it appears to be an upgrade by coming to New England. He might not be the top name or the talent level most have long desired to see in a Patriots uniform, but he has the potential to be a solid enough player to round out the receiver room for at least this upcoming season.

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