A trade seems less likely than it did a week ago. But the New England Patriots acquiring wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles is potentially still on the table. The Patriots, though, could forgo Brown negotiations for a different blockbuster — a deal for George Pickens.
That’s what Bleacher Report’s Moe Morton argued Saturday on a list of potential trades that could still happen this offseason.
Moton proposed the Patriots could acquire Pickens from the Dallas Cowboys with a second-round pick being the main compensation going to Dallas.
“To avoid a potential holdout situation, Dallas can ship Pickens off to the New England Patriots, who have been heavily linked to wide receiver A.J. Brown in the rumor mill,” wrote Moton.
“According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles want at least a first-round pick for Brown. New England should be able to get Pickens at a lesser cost in draft capital.
“Rapoport believes the Cowboys would accept a second-round pick for Pickens, which is a fair price for the Patriots if he becomes their go-to pass-catcher over Romeo Doubs.
“With $51.6 million in cap space, New England can afford to acquire Pickens and sign him to a lucrative extension, while quarterback Drake Maye is still a year away from being eligible for a new deal.”
The Cowboys just acquired Pickens in a trade last year from the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the wideout needs a new contract this offseason.
To avoid Pickens reaching free agency, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on the 25-year-old receiver.
Pickens posted a career-best 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during his first Cowboys season. Behind those statistics, he earned a second-team All-Pro nomination.
Why George Pickens Could Fit With Patriots
Multiple insiders have linked New England to Brown this offseason. Acquiring Brown would replace released receiver Stefon Diggs and give quarterback Drake Maye a true WR1.
The Patriots signed veteran receiver Romeo Doubs to a 4-year, $68 million contract in free agency as well.
But in the scenario Moton proposed, Pickens is an even better trade target than Brown.
The Cowboys wideout is coming off a better campaign, he’s younger and (according to Moton) would cost less in a trade to acquire.
Brown is the more proven receiver. He’s been a star in the league for half a decade.
But Pickens had obvious talent for years in Pittsburgh. With a more stable quarterback and another star receiver opposite him, he realized his potential last season.
In New England, Pickens and Doubs could create a formidable 1-2 punch.
Could the Cowboys Trade Pickens?
Chatter around Pickens died down in early March with attention on free agency and other potential blockbuster trades. But it’s still a distinct possibility.
The Cowboys already have fellow wideout CeeDee Lamb on a 4-year, $136 million contract. They also possess one of the most expensive quarterbacks in the league with Dak Prescott.
Spotrac projected Pickens’s value to be $122.4 million on a 4-year deal.
If the Cowboys balk at paying Pickens that kind of money, they could pursue a trade to avoid another ugly contract standoff this summer.
Dallas placing the franchise tag on the 25-year-old wideout suggests they want to keep him long term. In all likelihood, they will.
But the tag really was meant to avoid Pickens leaving for nothing. The Cowboys could recoup more than the third-rounder they gave up for Pickens last year if they decide to trade him.
In four NFL seasons, Pickens has 267 catches, 4,270 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. He led the league with an 18.1 yards per catch average during his first 1,000-yard season in 2023.
Pickens has averaged at least 15.3 yards per catch in each of his other three campaigns.
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