Aiyuk officially requests trade

[TheRainMaker]

Well sounds like NE allegedly has offered a 2nd round pick for him per profootballtalk. Posted on facebook via a Patriots page so take it for what its worth.

It was posted about an hour ago

That trade doesn't make any sense for the 49ers. Shanahan balked at a 2nd round pick for Sanu and turned his attention to Emmanuel Sanders for a lessor pick. Meanwhile, BB was under the impression Kyle was competing for Sanu and ended up paying Dimetroff's asking price of a 2nd round pick. Now they want to offer a 2nd for Brandon Aiyuk? The Pats look like a clown show.

 

[1960Pats]

Top Pick?? who said anything about a Top pick a Second Rounder definitely gets it done. Have you see the WR's some Teams have surrounded their QB's with?? Caleb Williams have DJ Moore - K Allen and R Odunze. Jordan Love in Green Bay have some very good young guys Goff in Detroit have St Brown and Jameson Williams who should take off this year. Put very good Talent around a young QB especially @ WR and they'll get good in a hurry.

I think SF will be looking for a top pick and they'll probably get it.

I also don't think that a team needs a top 10 WR to succeed. It's great to have them as SF does but they don't necessarily lead to winning. The Pats have more holes to worry about and need the pick(s).

 

[Pape]

Now they want to offer a 2nd for Brandon Aiyuk? The Pats look like a clown show.

it was a high second + paying the guy ? 25-30 million, so I don't think that its fair to say clown show...

now, playing a 2nd for Sanu, that was bad...

what we cannot do is part with next years 1... that will be a high pick, one where we might be in a position to draft one of the best wr's available (or, my preference a LT)...

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

This is a 4 win team with or without N'Keal Harry's back up at Arizona State. It would be criminal to trade any draft capital and then shell out 30 mil plus a year contract for a possession WR.

 

[rkarp1]

The 49ers have Aiyuk for 3 more years if they want him. They can use the 5th year option then franchise tag him to death.

They allowed him and his agent to talk to other teams back before the draft… if anyone was willing to overspend they would have done it already.

the reports are 5 teams offered including the Pats
2nd round pick and $28m
now that SF drafted a WR #1 and Aiyuk is again asking a trade, maybe the deal is revisited with adjustments? maybe a player is added?
clearly there is a market for Aiyuk, and the Pats are part of that market.

 

[rkarp1]

This is a 4 win team with or without N'Keal Harry's back up at Arizona State. It would be criminal to trade any draft capital and then shell out 30 mil plus a year contract for a possession WR.

I think you are missing the point that Aiyuk is a 4-5 year player if traded for. The Pats, if they are right on Maye, will be ready to contend soon. having Aiyuk makes soon come quicker, makes the entire WR group better and hastens Maye's arrival.

 

[Wozzy]

We had the beat on R Doubs had him in for a Visit but took miget Zappe instead bravo Bill.

Doubs is solid, we have Bourne, same player… so what? We needed a QB more than another good receiver. You take dice rolls in the draft, it’s a crapshoot.

Knowing who was a good draft pick years later doesn’t do sht for us now.

 

[Wozzy]

the reports are 5 teams offered including the Pats
2nd round pick and $28m
now that SF drafted a WR #1 and Aiyuk is again asking a trade, maybe the deal is revisited with adjustments? maybe a player is added?
clearly there is a market for Aiyuk, and the Pats are part of that market.

A 2nd would be pure stupidity, who actually reported this as fact?

The Patriots would be idiots for letting the 49ers off the hook and bailing them out… it’s what dumb teams do.

The 49ers are up against that cap thing you suggest doesn’t exist… it’s odd how this invisible specter continues to plague teams offseason after offseason.

 

[Wozzy]

I think you are missing the point that Aiyuk is a 4-5 year player if traded for. The Pats, if they are right on Maye, will be ready to contend soon. having Aiyuk makes soon come quicker, makes the entire WR group better and hastens Maye's arrival.

We don’t know if Polk or Baler aren’t already as good or better than Aiyuk… he’s not that special.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

This is a 4 win team with or without N'Keal Harry's back up at Arizona State. It would be criminal to trade any draft capital and then shell out 30 mil plus a year contract for a possession WR.

I think I've heard this a few times now. Its kind of scary how lost some fans are when it comes to non-patriot players or some aspects of the game.

Aiyuk averaged the 2nd highest Y/R in the entire league last year at almost 18 per rec. I'm not trying to be mean but I seriously doubt people are watching him closely. Which makes these opinions even more laughable.

We will know extremely quickly if Maye has "it" or not. A cheap QB + paying a top tier wr isn't the worst idea in the world. Pats have been interested in Aiyuk since he came out. No one wants to overpay a 1st but a 2nd/3rd isn't crazy at all for a guy of his caliber.

 

[TheRainMaker]

it was a high second + paying the guy ? 25-30 million, so I don't think that its fair to say clown show...

now, playing a 2nd for Sanu, that was bad...

what we cannot do is part with next years 1... that will be a high pick, one where we might be in a position to draft one of the best wr's available (or, my preference a LT)...

The reason I say that is because if you're willing to pay up a premium salary for a WR, that would mean you value him to being one of the best in the NFL. So, just a 2nd round pick doesn't cut for the 49ers. I'm not sure what the 49ers are looking for in a trade, but I certainly hope it's not a Tyrek haul.

While it could be a potential high 2nd round pick, the 49ers will continue to play chicken with Aiyuk until he decides to holdout. The 49ers can't do anything with the 2nd round pick now, so it just doesn't make sense to move him on for that. I think they are hoping Aiyuk caves and eventually shows up which I think he will. If he has another big season, he can easily fight the tag and force the 49ers to remove it as they won't be able to negotiate in good faith on a long term deal with Purdy coming up and all the high contracts they have on the roster. This would be my card to play with the 49ers on why I'm not send a 1st rounder to them.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I think I've heard this a few times now. Its kind of scary of lost some fans are when it comes to non-patriot players or some aspects of the game.

Aiyuk averaged the 2nd highest Y/R in the entire league last year at almost 18 per rec. I'm not trying to be mean but I seriously doubt people are watching him closely. Which makes these opinions even more laughable.

We will know extremely quickly if Maye has "it" or not. A cheap QB + paying a top tier wr isn't the worst idea in the world. Pats have been interested in Aiyuk since he came out. No one wants to overpay a 1st but a 2nd/3rd isn't crazy at all for a guy of his caliber.

Him being a "possession WR" has been thrown around the board lately which is bizarre. He had the 3rd most plays over 20 yards last season, but his YAC wasn't that great.

I was waiting for you to respond to those posts.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

The reason I say that is because if you're willing to pay up a premium salary for a WR, that would mean you value him to being one of the best in the NFL. So, just a 2nd round pick doesn't cut for the 49ers. I'm not sure what the 49ers are looking for in a trade, but I certainly hope it's not a Tyrek haul.

While it could be a potential high 2nd round pick, the 49ers will continue to play chicken with Aiyuk until he decides to holdout. The 49ers can't do anything with the 2nd round pick now, so it just doesn't make sense to move him on for that. I think they are hoping Aiyuk caves and eventually shows up which I think he will. If he has another big season, he can easily fight the tag and force the 49ers to remove it as they won't be able to negotiate in good faith on a long term deal with Purdy coming up and all the high contracts they have on the roster. This would be my card to play with the 49ers on why I'm not send a 1st rounder to them.

I agree with a lot of this. Though bottom line is SF is looking at some massive contracts coming up and already have some on the books. I know you've mentioned "if Aiyuk has another great year" but that scenario could play out with several other players like Ward and Greenlaw and obviously Purdy. Ward had a great year last season. Another one on that level and he's looking at a big pay day. Greenlaw is a top 5-7 LB in the league. Not sure Caff's situation off the top of my head but he's the engine or gas of that team.

It doesn't make sense for them to trade him now but waiting doesn't necessarily drive up the price that much imo. I don't see them getting a haul and teams know whats up with their financial situation. The next few years are going to crucial in terms of window, money to spend and maintaining that personnel.

Him being a "possession WR" has been thrown around the board lately which is bizarre. He had the 3rd most plays over 20 yards last season, but his YAC wasn't that great.

I was waiting for you to respond to those posts.

Everyone has to have an opinion. Even if you haven't watched him or are really familiar.

Yac wasn't great but he's a consistent 350 guy in that area. Not great but top 20 which is good enough. His strengths are plentiful though. He'd be a great guy for the youngins to look up to. Aiyuk was a project coming out. Had a very good rookie year but the guy really needed to learn the position and he has. You want to reward guys like that. Blocks his butt off. Versatile. Would give us 3 interchangeable guys and a clear-cut iso/3x1 on the outside. Almost 40% of his rec went for 20+! He's been as efficient and effective as almost anyone in the game the last two years.

11
Aiyuk X
Polk slot
Baker z

12
Polk & Aiyuk are two nasty blockers for this grouping.

I've been banging this drum (trading for Higgins, Aiyuk etc) for a while now. The Pats have shown interest in Aiyuk for a while now. This isn't fantasy football nonsense. It's about making your team better in 24/25.

Some of these post are hard to read. The amount of people who are off base about him is wild. Bringing up his 4.5 when he was hurt running - how many 4.5 guys make up the top 20 list? - thinking he's not as good or better than guys like ASTB, possession wr. It's just not a serious conversation.

Some of these posters are just classic. I bet they tell their mechanics, plumbers and accountants all love the advice they give after watching an 7 min YouTube video on the subject. I have to imagine they give opinions on everything else they haven't a clue about.

 

[Zuma]

Poster “In no way should the Patriots trade a 2nd round pick to the 49ers for Brandon Aiuik….the guy is not fast, is a possession type receiver and only plays well with high-quality talent around him”.

BCG “The Patriots should trade a 2nd for Brandon Aiyuk”.

Poster “My comments were grossly misinterpreted. The Patriots should absolutely trade a 2nd for Brandon Aiyuk”.

 

[203Pat]

You haven't given the new guys even one training camp to see if they CAN develop receivers.

I have no issue with how the new regime has approached the receiver position. They went hard after Ridley and allegedly tried to land Aiyuk at the draft but neither worked so they invested a second round and fourth round pick on receivers. I am glad they seem to be moving away from Bill's bargain bin.

 

[Pape]

The reason I say that is because if you're willing to pay up a premium salary for a WR, that would mean you value him to being one of the best in the NFL. So, just a 2nd round pick doesn't cut for the 49ers. I'm not sure what the 49ers are looking for in a trade, but I certainly hope it's not a Tyrek haul.

While it could be a potential high 2nd round pick, the 49ers will continue to play chicken with Aiyuk until he decides to holdout. The 49ers can't do anything with the 2nd round pick now, so it just doesn't make sense to move him on for that. I think they are hoping Aiyuk caves and eventually shows up which I think he will. If he has another big season, he can easily fight the tag and force the 49ers to remove it as they won't be able to negotiate in good faith on a long term deal with Purdy coming up and all the high contracts they have on the roster. This would be my card to play with the 49ers on why I'm not send a 1st rounder to them.

gotta start the conversation somewhere... best not give away the kitchen sink on the first call

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Poster “In no way should the Patriots trade a 2nd round pick to the 49ers for Brandon Aiuik….the guy is not fast, is a possession type receiver and only plays well with high-quality talent around him”.

BCG “The Patriots should trade a 2nd for Brandon Aiyuk”.

Poster “My comments were grossly misinterpreted. The Patriots should absolutely trade a 2nd for Brandon Aiyuk”.

Supposedly we offered them Polk's pick so anyone that says a "a 2nd is crazy" is out of touch.

 

[Vindicate]

The allure of Aiyuk might be greater than his capacity to play as a true #1.
He's good, he's young, he's productive... but he's played on a very explosive team, normally with Deebo & Kittle.

I'd love to get him, but not for a #1 pick, and not for the ungodly deals the top WR's are getting.
I agree he'd legitimize this WR corp, and possibly at the expense of Polk or Baker.
I'd rather use this year to really let those 2 guys get as many reps as possible and see if one turns into that guy we need.

I'm pretty much in full agreement that I think the price will be too high, however, it's important to remember that "getting reps" doesn't equate to development if those reps are a level above in coverage. If your strong pack of WR2's are pushed into WR1 and therefore play across the respective coverage, you might actually hinder development. The quality of those reps are just as important, if not more, than quantity.

Beyond just being a playmaker, it allows a WR2 to play as just that, and not have to fake being a #1. Coverage is seemingly getting back to normal in the NFL as CB's have - somehow, and incredibly impressively - gotten better with the current set of rules. Average passing yards per game was 219 in 2023, whereas it was about 240 in 2020, and had never been as low as 219 since... 2009. Therefore, it's very important to have that threat.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

In 2020, the 49ers traded up from 31 to 25 to draft Aiyuk. They liked him, the went and got him, and he has been their leading pass catcher for the past two years.They like what they did and they value him.

Today, in the NFL, with very few exceptions, you either need an mvp level qb with at least a very good pass catcher (Mahomes/Kelce, Brady/take your pick) or you need a good-very good QB with high end pass catchers.

Today in the NFL, guys like Nico Collins get $25M dollars.

Today in the NFL, top 10 wr’s in the last year of their contract get traded for first round picks. Diggs made Allen better, AJ Brown helped Philly to the Super Bowl, where the Eagles were a suspect holding call away from winning, Hill has helped transform the Miami offense. Davsnte Adams has not helped the Raiders win, but he was traded for a first and a second.

So to recap, the 49ers like Aiyuk, they will demand high value to move him, they are not out of line in today’s NFL, and Aiyuk will get Amon St. Brown money, which is $30M a year. If you believe anything radically different you are paying attention.

 

[PatsFan2]

A 2nd would be pure stupidity, who actually reported this as fact?

The Patriots would be idiots for letting the 49ers off the hook and bailing them out… it’s what dumb teams do.

The 49ers are up against that cap thing you suggest doesn’t exist… it’s odd how this invisible specter continues to plague teams offseason after offseason.

Oh really, what did you think of that Second for Sanu?? Waiting.