Patriots Rumors & Buzz: The DeAndre Hopkins vs Jerry Jeudy debate

The New England Patriots are on a hunt for a No. 1 wide receiver.  The question is whether they will acquire that big time weapon via trade, the 2023 NFL Draft or even free agency.

With rumors swirling about the team’s interest in veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the younger wide receiver threat in Jerry Jeudy, there has been a debate amongst Patriots Twitter as to who would be the better option for the Patriots.

Of course, there is a free agency option in Odell Beckham Jr., but that rumor seems to be more smoke that will lead to nowhere.  So, NFL Draft aside, let’s talk about whether Hopkins or Jeudy would be the better option for the team if the price is right.

Patriots need to take a serious approach in landing a No. 1 threat

Obviously, the Patriots could let both trade opportunities slip by, but it is still fun to debate.  With Bill Belichick’s admiration for Hopkins, the veteran receiver seems like the ideal trade target.  While it would be unfair to compare him to Randy Moss, the type of acquisition would be similar for the Patriots.  Not only would the team get a proven veteran to star in the offense, but they will also get an outside threat with still something to prove.

In the way of a possible union is his salty relationship with Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.  But, if there is buy in, Hopkins would be a nice option on the outside for Mac Jones and he can also serve as a mentor for Tyquan Thornton and/or whichever wide receiver they target in the draft.  The downside is that he is on the other side of 30 so the fit would be more of a short-term option.

With reports surfacing that the Patriots have drifted away from their interest in Hopkins, you just never know what Belichick is cooking up and interest in Jeudy could be a bargaining chip…or the young Alabama product was the focus after all.

Hopkins is more experienced, but Jeudy would bring more of a long-term option to the Patriots.  Acquiring his talents would not only give Mac Jones a weapon he is familiar with from their days at Alabama but would benefit Belichick and company in the draft as they would be able to focus on another position.

Patriots fans won’t sneeze at either potential acquisition, but Jeudy is the better option for the team’s future, and it really comes down to the Denver Broncos and their asking price.

Asking price too high, but Patriots can afford it

With rumors that the New England Patriots have indeed called the Broncos about Jeudy, the latest report from Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot makes it seem it will take a big offer to get Jeudy out of Denver.

"“The Broncos don’t plan to trade Jeudy, their 2020 No. 15 overall pick out of Alabama, unless someone makes them an offer they can’t refuse, another source said,” Cabot wrote.  “That offer would ideally include a first-first round pick.”"

While another report said the Broncos would settle for a second-round pick and a player, the Patriots could offer the No. 14 overall pick or a second along with a player like Kendrick Bourne, who would appear to be the odd man out if they did acquire Jeudy.

Whatever the Patriots would have to give up acquiring either Hopkins or Jeudy will be worth it in different ways.  If it takes a 3rd or a 4th to get the Arizona Cardinals to pull the trigger, Belichick must do that.  If the team is looking at a wide receiver at No. 14, trading it for Jeudy is the better option given his age and relationship with Mac Jones.

Either would help the team and finally land the New England Patriots a viable No. 1 option.  The fear or reality is, they may just end up with either.  If that ends up being the case, there better be a plan because if they signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to be the No. 1 option, Pats Nation is going to have beef with general manager Bill Belichick.