6 rings Patspourri: Tom Brady returning? Bill Belichick on the move & Mailbag
The New England Patriots are set to embark on a brand new journey as they enter the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 3 overall pick, three top-100 selections, a new head coach, and a new de-facto general manager running their front office.
That being said, it's time for a mailbag.
A reminder: to stay involved, be sure to keep an eye out for the thread on Twitter @mikekadlick and @WEEI. Don't have Twitter? Email me at michael.kadlick@audacy.com to submit any questions you may have.
And away we go:
Q: “With Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins requesting trades, how valuable is the 34th pick? If both players last 'til draft night, would it be a pick either team would take?”
A: Though it was reported on Sunday morning that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk requested a trade out of San Francisco, said report was quickly shot down by his agent just a few hours later. The interest in the pass catcher's services, however, likely remains.
Aiyuk is entering a contract year with the 49ers and after a 75-catch, 1,342-yard, second-team All-Pro season in 2023, is set to make a ton of money next offseason. His team, meanwhile, is cap-strung and may have a tough decision to make.
As for Tee Higgins, he also reportedly requested a trade after being franchise tagged by the Bengals this offseason. Just last week at a camp, however, the 6-foot-4 receiver told some media members that he plans on playing in Cincinnati this season.
So how valuable is pick No. 34? Very. Both Cincy and San Francisco are at odds with their top pass catchers, and the Patriots desperately need one. It's the perfect crime, and I'm an advocate of them shipping off their second-round pick for a proven vet that their likely rookie QB can throw to.
Q: “Would the 49ers take Matthew Judon and a mid-round pick for Brandon Aiyuk?”
A: I'm using this question as a jumping-off point to tell you that I’m not convinced Judon is on New England’s chopping block ahead of the 2024 season.
As I reported a few weeks ago, Judon was present for the start of the Patriots' offseason program, something he’s been inconsistent in doing during his time with the Patriots. ESPN's Mike Reiss pointed out on Sunday that said presence could be a push towards both captaincy and a readjusted contract.
So would they trade him in a package for Aiyuk? Perhaps, but in my opinion it's far more likely that he gets extended by New England.
Q: “Would you trade Christian Barmore for Brandon Aiyuk?”
A: Another Patriot who’s up for a contract extension is defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
Barmore, a second-round pick in 2020, put together a career season in 2023 with 65 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, and a PFF grade of 83.8. He's next in a long long of cornerstone New England draftees that are going to make up the core for the coming rebuild.
So no, I'm not trading Barmore for Aiyuk.
Q: “Are the Patriots really not 'in love' with quarterback Drake Maye? I find this hard to believe.”
A: The Patriots have done plenty of due diligence on UNC quarterback Drake Maye. Not only did they meet with him at the NFL Combine in February, but they sent a large contingent that included head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto GM Eliot Wolf to his Pro Day in Chapel Hill.
Here’s what Mayo said about their meeting at the owners meetings:
“Drake Maye had a fantastic interview at the combine,” the new head coach explained. “He brings a lot of energy. You can tell he has that leadership ability. Also the exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that. In saying that, when we’re trying to put together this roster, I know a lot of people look at the ceiling. But you also have to look at how low is the floor. I would say a guy like Drake Maye – he has a lot of room to grow. He’s a young guy. Honestly, he hasn’t played football nearly as much as these other guys. So that’s definitely something we’ve looked at, but he’s definitely going to develop.”
Are they in love? Who knows. But there's certainly something there between the two sides.
Q: “Who do you think is more likely to start at LT this fall: A rookie, Onwenu, or a vet not yet on the team?”
A: Jumbo! Good to hear from ya.
It’s funny, I actually don’t think either of these options are the most likely — but rather a current vet that’s already on the team (i.e. Conor McDermott, Calvin Anderson, or Chukwuma Okorafor).
To answer the question, however, I’ll say a rookie. Why? Because if they do start one of the current vets, it likely means they're grooming a rookie whom they drafted and they didn't have to turn to Onwenu or an outside acquisition.
Q: “Should the Patriots go after CeeDee Lamb?”
A: Added to the long line of wide receiver drama over the weekend was the fact that both Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb didn't show up to voluntary workouts as they both seek contract extensions with their current teams.
Much like the Higgins and Aiyuk situations, if the Cowboys don't see CeeDee Lamb in their future then the Patriots should be among the first teams to pounce on a potential trade.
As I recently wrote for WEEI.com, it's time for New England to get a true No. 1 wide receiver. They've had sub-par talent at the position for far too long and with their sights set on bringing in their next franchise quarterback during the first round of next week's draft, what better way to introduce him to the league than with a bonafide stud on the outside?
Cee Dee Lamb, at just 25-years-old and having just tallied back-to-back-to-back 1,100+ yard seasons, is that and more. The former Oklahoma Sooner was sensational for Dallas in 2023, putting up 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to a First-Team All-Pro selection.
The thing is, it's very unlikely he actually becomes available.
Q: “Assuming Drake Maye is left at pick No. 3 and he will have to sit 1-2 years, would you rather take him, someone else, or trade back?”
A: #TakeDrake #TakeDrake #TakeDrake
I don't care if he has to sit for a year, or even two, it's Drake Maye all day in this situation.
Not only does the former Tar Heel have arguably the highest ceiling of the four likely first-round quarterbacks, but the Patriots have already set themselves up with a bridge QB in Jacoby Brissett who Jerod Mayo said could "absolutely" be their starter this season.
Take the swing. You Maye never get a chance like this again.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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