The Cincinnati Bengals stuffed a gap of their offense with the signing of Trent Brown. And whereas it was no shock to see Brown depart the New England Patriots, it nonetheless created a 370-pound void on New England’s left edge.
Brown’s departure has an apparent impression on the Patriots.
However would possibly Brown signing in Cincinnati additionally assist New England another way?
Let’s hypothesize for a minute.
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Earlier than signing Brown, the Bengals have been seen as a workforce who may use its first-round choose on an offensive deal with. Cincinnati watched beginning deal with Jonah Williams stroll out the door in free company, and have made it a precedence to guard quarterback Joe Burrow. So whereas the Bengals may nonetheless goal a deal with at No. 18 general, particularly since Brown, who’s coming into his age-31 season, signed a mere one-year deal, Cincinnati has given itself choices.
As an alternative, maybe the Bengals goal a large receiver within the first spherical? Tee Higgins reportedly has requested a commerce after the group used its franchise tag on him this offseason. And Tyler Boyd, the No. 3 wideout behind Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins, stays out there on the open market.
Throughout his mock draft revealed Tuesday morning, earlier than the signing of Brown, ESPN’s Mel Kiper known as LSU wideout Brian Thomas a “potential match” for the Bengals. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein linked Thomas to the Bengals in his mock draft earlier this month. The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Thomas referred to himself as an analogous participant to 6-foot-4, 219-pound Higgins.
And that’s the place the Patriots are available in.
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If the Bengals do determine to draft a receiver within the first spherical, the chance Higgins turns into out there in a commerce jumps by means of the roof. Many count on the Bengals will hearken to provides for the 25-year-old wideout and Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer speculated a blockbuster might be on the horizon. Touchdown a high-end pass-catcher within the draft not solely would make sure the Bengals give Burrow a weapon but additionally could be financially savvy given the Bengals quickly should pay Chase.
The Patriots reportedly have regarded into the commerce market for receivers. Higgins, who entered the offseason as arguably the highest wideout set to hit free company, is seen because the one almost definitely to be moved. If that’s the case, New England ought to go all-in on a pursuit of the 2020 second-rounder, who has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons already. The Patriots have the cash and Higgins would support within the growth of a rookie quarterback.
Shedding Brown and including Higgins wouldn’t be an actual 1-for-1 swap, however the Patriots in all probability would come away pleased with their finish of the deal.