The New England Patriots have been big spenders this offseason, adding several impact players on both sides of the ball. Of course, the Patriots had to invest a lot in their roster after finishing with a 4-13 record last season.
One of their goals was to set franchise quarterback Drake Maye up to succeed as he heads into his second season of play. By signing a Pro Bowl receiver in Stefon Diggs, plus adding three new offensive line starters, the Patriots have to feel good about their additions.
Yet, have the Patriots done enough to compete right away? Surprisingly, the Patriots may still be able to add a big-time weapon to their offense.
On Friday, reports surfaced of the Atlanta Falcons being open to a Kyle Pitts trade. Shortly after, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox came up with an idea that would send the fourth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft to New England. His idea? Send the Falcons a third and fourth-round pick plus tight end Austin Hooper, in exchange for Pitts, who’s still just 24 years old.
“Yet he remains an intriguing trade target because he has an All-Pro ceiling and won't turn 25 until October,” Knox wrote. “He'd be a great addition to any tight-end-needy team, but he'd be particularly valuable to a younger team looking to build a long-term contender. The Patriots, who are building around second-year quarterback Drake Maye, fall directly into this category. While New England does have capable tight ends in Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, both are 30 and will hit free agency within the next two years. Pitts could become a go-to target for Maye and become a permanent fixture at tight end. New England, which leads the NFL in cap space, would have little trouble signing him to a long-term deal.”
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Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports that teams looking to acquire Pitts would have to be ready to part with a Day 2 selection, so a pick that falls in the second or third round. That may be a price New England is willing to pay, especially because they likely won’t find anyone as special as Pitts that late in the draft.
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