The NFL trade that everyone knew was coming finally happened with the June 1 deadline passing on Monday, as the Philadelphia Eagles sent disgruntled wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in exchange for draft picks. Why does that matter for the Las Vegas Raiders? Well, one of the biggest weaknesses on the Raiders’ roster right now is at wide receiver, and the Patriots now have an abundance of wideouts.
In addition to trading for Brown, New England signed former Green Bay Packers receiver
Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract during free agency. That’s on top of having Mack Hollins (2025 free-agent addition), Kayshon Boutte (2023 sixth-round pick), Kyle Williams (2025 third-round pick) and DeMario Douglas (2023 sixth-round pick) already on the roster.
Boutte is the biggest name to keep tabs on when it comes to any trade rumors. He’s had decent production with 76 catches for 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns over the last two seasons combined, but he’s entering the final season of his rookie contract and likely won’t have a big role in New England now that Brown is in town. On top of that, the Patriots would take on less than $50k of dead cap space and save nearly $3.7 million in trading Boutte, per Over The Cap, and would likely jump at the opportunity to get something back for him.
Meanwhile, as mentioned above, the Raiders have a big need at wide receiver, and the wideout would fit in with the organization’s youth movement after turning just 25 years old at the beginning of May. Also, the idea of having him on a one-year, tryout-type contract to see how Boutte and Fernando Mendoza work together could be enticing for John Spytek and Klint Kubiak. If the duo has immediate chemistry, then an extension can always get worked out before the offseason hits.
Now, the question is: what can Las Vegas send in a trade that would pique New England’s interests? To clarify, the sections below aren’t trade packages but rather an outline of what the Raiders can offer, and any combination of the assets listed could be packaged together.
Draft Picks
Draft capital is going to be a talking or negotiating point with just about every trade in the NFL, and the Patriots are likely looking to recoup some picks after the Brown deal. Granted, they do still have nine selections in the 2027 draft, but five are in rounds five and six, and the higher of their two fifth-round picks will be going to Philly. Also, the Pats sent their 2028 first-rounder to the Eagles to help further justify loading up on future selections.
As for the Raiders, they only have their own picks in the first six rounds of the draft, trading away their 2027 seventh-rounder to get cornerback Jermod McCoy last April. So, it’s not as if Las Vegas is flush with draft capital, but the organization does have three Day 3 selections at its disposal to bring Boutte aboard. Additionally, the Silver and Black have all seven of their 2028 picks, if needed.
Malcolm Koonce
While New England’s defense returns its 2025 sack-leader, Harold Landry (8.5 sacks), the unit lost its second-best edge-rusher, K’Lavon Chaisson (7.5 sacks), to the Washington Commanders this offseason. Granted, the Patriots signed Dre’Mont Jones in free agency and used a second-round pick on Gabe Jacas, but those two shouldn’t prevent an expected Super Bowl contender from ensuring one of its biggest offseason needs is met. Especially since it would only take moving on from a player who likely doesn’t have a long-term fit anymore.
Meanwhile, Spytek agreed to a second one-year, “prove-it” contract with Koonce before the Maxx Crosby-Baltimore Ravens trade fell through. Considering Spytek also brought in Kwity Paye in free agency, it’s hard to imagine he would have made the same offer to Koonce’s camp had he known Crosby would still be on the roster. Plus, after drafting Keyron Crawford, edge is arguably the deepest position on the Raiders’ roster.
Jordan Meredith
Meredith’s inclusion in a trade for Boutte would likely be to sweeten the deal, meaning draft picks would also have to be included. But the Patriots could use some insurance on the interior offensive line after trading away Garrett Bradbury in the offseason.
Right now, 2025 third-round pick Jared Wilson is expected to move from guard to center while free-agent signing Alijah Vera-Tucker takes over the left guard spot. So, New England is counting on a second-year pro to make a position switch and a guy who has missed 42 games over five seasons due to injury to protect quarterback Drake Maye.
That could make Meredith an intriguing option in a trade package since he has experience playing all three interior offensive line spots. And Las Vegas has a good amount of starting options at guard and center between Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Spencer Burford, Caleb Rogers and Trey Zuhn III.
JJ Pegues
Admittedly, this one is more of a stretch since Pegues will be comepeting for playing time on the Raiders defensive line this season. However, if the coaching staff likes or is confortable with Benito Jones, Bradon Cleveland, Gary Smith III and Laki Tasi battling it out at nose tackle, the Patriots could use a strong run defener in the trenches, too.
The 2025 sixth-round pick could be part of a package to help both sides swap depth pieces, where two young players will have opportunities to compete for playing time in their new cities.
