Brandon Aiyuk is unhappy and has requested a trade out of San Francisco.
The New England Patriots reportedly offered the second-round pick (No. 34) of the 2024 NFL draft for Aiyuk. They also were willing to pay Aiyuk $28 million average annual value (AAV), which at the time would be in line with the top-five receiver contracts.
However, the 49ers declined their offer, and the pick was used to draft rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk instead. With training camp underway, the Patriots have two new receivers they have pivoted to in Polk and rookie fourth-round pick Javon Baker.
The dilemma is simple: do they risk the assets and cap space to bring in a true weapon and centerpiece for Drake Maye to grow with, or do they take their chances developing? Trends have shown that the receivers taken in the first two rounds have performed fairly well, or at least well enough to get a new contract.
If the Patriots wish to be the Patriots of old, they can sit back and hope they have changed enough in the structure of the organization to be able to develop the receiver talent they already have, which is something they could never do with Belichick.
However, I believe lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf is doing things differently.
As Wolf contemplates making the move, and then convincing the 49ers to play ball, the price for Aiyuk is ever-changing, like the stocks on Wall Street. So I put together an idea of what the cost would be at different milestone stages, as Aiyuk likely could get resolved next week, or during the next draft. There is no real idea of when.
Oct 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) runs after a catch against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (19) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
This one is the most expensive in terms of picks, but it also is the least risky. This stock signifies that the Patriots mean business at righting their wrongs, but they’d also be realizing that they have something special brewing on offense. You do not make this move unless you know it will greatly help you down the line with your quarterback.
If we know that, then the 49ers do too.
The price will remain high, and it should as the 49ers are fighting for a Super Bowl. They have no reason to trade one of their best players who is under contract, even if he requested it.
Price: 2025 first-round pick and 2025 third-rounder for Aiyuk…
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