The New England Patriots appear to have found their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. The third overall pick in the 2024 Draft showed flashes of strong play last season, and the team responded by investing heavily in building a solid roster around him to help him compete this year.
Offensively, theres still room for improvement, even after veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrived. With training camp officially underway, the Patriots are expected to make a move for a young talent who has yet to reach his full potential but still carries significant upside.
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Patriots Predicted To Trade For TE Kyle Pitts
New England has gone through a rough stretch since Tom Bradys departure in 2020, and until Maye emerged last season, none of the teams quarterback experiments seemed promising long-term, even though Mac Jones had a strong start. But with Maye, the teams offensive ceiling has shifted.
His best trait is his ability to stretch the field. He has one of the best deep balls in the NFL, something the Patriots will certainly look to maximize this season. Beyond Diggs and rookie Kyle Williams, who arrives with major upside, the team could still make an under-the-radar move that would make sense in their roster-building approach.
Kyle Pitts finds himself in a complicated spot in the NFL. His rookie season with 1,026 receiving yards is one of just three in league history by a tight end, alongside Mike Ditka and Brock Bowers, but his career has regressed since then. Brandon Austin believes this would be the ideal move to revive his talent.
For New England, acquiring Pitts addresses a clear need. The Patriots have a league-high $60 million in cap space and lack an explosive pass-catching tight end to complement Hunter Henry. Pitts, whos still only 24 and boasts elite measurables, would fit perfectly in Josh McDaniels two tight end formations and offer potential as a dynamic target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Would This Trade Make Sense For The Falcons?
To acquire the Falcons tight end, the Patriots would send a third-round pick and Austin Hooper back to Atlanta, where he spent the first four seasons of his career and posted his best numbers.
A swap involving tight end Austin Hooper and a 2026 third-round pick would give Atlanta depth and a valuable Day 2 selection, while allowing New England to take a low-risk chance on Pitts potential breakout in a contract year. The Patriots gain a high-upside target to nurture Mayes development, and if Pitts fails to thrive, they can part ways in 2026 with minimal long-term impact.
Hooper would be a reliable option for Michael Penix Jr., who already has strong weapons around him in Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Bijan Robinson, but lacks a solid red zone tight end like Hooper.
This deal would align with what both teams and players need. Pitts needs a change of scenery, and joining a young team with a clear need at tight end could be the spark he needs. Meanwhile, Hooper doesnt have to be a star in Atlanta, just a dependable contributor, which is precisely what theyre looking for.
