Patriots Should Sign This Receiver Instead Of Trading For A.J. Brown
· Yahoo Sports
Patriots Should Sign This Receiver Instead Of Trading For A.J. Brown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots have been connected to A.J. Brown in many trade rumors over the last few weeks, but he may not be the best option available for them.
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
Brown seems like the perfect fit for the Patriots. He played for Mike Vrabel for years with the Tennessee Titans, grew up a Patriots fan and has teased joining the Patriots multiple times in the past. Vrabel said on Wednesday that the Patriots are not shutting down the idea of trading for him, and that they would "look at everything that (they could) possibly look at" to add to the roster.
While Brown is a great player with a strong relationship with Vrabel, he may not be the best choice for the Patriots. The Patriots have some key extensions looming, including with Drake Maye. A Christian Gonzalez extension this offseason could reset the market as well. Those extensions with needs elsewhere on the roster create a situation where the Patriots need to be cautious about spending.
Brown has a $23 million cap hit next season, which is less than Stefon Diggs'. However, his cap hit will be $30 million in the final years of his deal. He is going to be 30 in the 2027 season, and the Patriots may prefer a younger option. If the Patriots were planning to go all in for next season, trading for Brown is a different story. However, Maye is going into just his third year and the Patriots should focus on building long-term success.
Brown is nearing an age where receivers start to decline. If the Patriots are going to spend on a receiver, they may want to look at Alec Pierce in free agency instead. He is only 25 years old, just had the best season of his career and is an elite deep threat. Giving Maye a target with Pierce's skill set could be huge for the Patriots.
Maye proved he has a great deep ball, and Pierce is among the best in football downfield. He led the league in yards per reception in each of the last two seasons and had 1,003 receiving yards in 15 games last season. He is in the prime of his career and is projected to sign a four-year, $80 million deal.
Pierce is younger and cheaper than Brown, and would allow the Patriots to spend on other areas as well. Brown would not only take a heavy toll on the Patriots' salary cap, but would cost draft compensation as well.
More NFL: Veteran Pro Bowler Called 'Perfect' Fit for Patriots In Free Agency