Patriots Among Jerry Jeudy Trade Suitors; Broncos Might Take 2nd-Round Pick - Source

"The Patriot Way''? An NFL source tells us the Broncos might take less in trade for WR Jerry Jeudy than is being advertised.

There are conflicting media reports out of Denver as to the trade availability of wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, with one credible suggestion that the New England Patriots are in the mix for Jeudy - who just happens to be Pats QB Mac Jones’ former Alabama teammate.

Meanwhile, an NFL source indicates to PatriotsCountry at SI that while Denver has "upped'' its asking price to a first-round pick, the Broncos might be swayed by an offer of "a second-round pick plus.''

The Broncos don't seem to want to reach the inevitable point at which they have to decide to pay Jeudy big money, thus his availability dating back to the 2022 trade deadline. Meanwhile, from their perspective, the Broncos should ask for the moon for now.

Why?

Because in the wake of their ill-fated (so far) trade for Seattle QB Russell Wilson, their cupboard is bare. They have six total picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. .. but none in the first and none in the second.

Of course, another way of looking at that bare cupboard - "The Patriot Way,'' if you will - is that Denver might be almost as starving for a second-round pick as it is for a first-rounder.

Also involved here: With the Dallas Cowboys trading for Brandin Cooks, one less suitor is in play.

The Patriots' signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster might in the eyes of some lessen the New England intensity here. But JuJu is here to replace the departed Jakobi Meyers (to the Raiders), so there is no "gain'' in the wideout room yet.

What needs to be measured if the Jeudy pursuit is to intensify: Is he better (in terms of talent and value) than what can be had in Round 1 at pick No. 14? Jeudy has not proven that at all. Is he better than a player in Round 2 at pick No. 46?

There, and there only, is where the Patriots in-house debate should focus.

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