Patriots have reportedly inquired 49ers about a possible Brandon Aiyuk trade

Rumors that Aiyuk could be traded were further fueled by the 49ers' decision to draft a wide receiver in Thursday's first round.

The Patriots are set to pick early on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, holding the No. 34 overall pick. But it’s possible they opt to use their high second-round selection to make a different kind of addition.

New England has broached the San Francisco 49ers on a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran reported ahead of Round 1 of the draft.

While Aiyuk has been involved in trade rumors for much of the offseason, the 49ers seemed to add fire to them on Thursday. They used their first-round pick on Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall, potentially giving them an Aiyuk replacement.

If the 49ers are receptive to trade calls on Aiyuk after drafting Pearsall, the Patriots are a potential landing spot due to their high second-round pick, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said on NFL Network’s broadcast of the draft. The Commanders, who hold the No. 36 and 40 picks, were also mentioned as a possible trade partner for Aiyuk by Rapoport.

Aiyuk’s entering the final season of his rookie deal, seeking an extension.

“I’m trying to get what I deserve,” Aiyuk told the “Nightcap” podcast in March. “I feel like this season, this season playing football, I figured out who I was as a person and a player, what I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization. And just the value I hold when I walk in that building.”

The 49ers have also stated they want Aiyuk to remain in San Francisco. General manager John Lynch said that the two sides were working on a deal and that Aiyuk isn’t available for trade when he spoke with reporters at the NFL’s league meetings in March.

Despite Lynch’s wishes, the social media activity of Aiyuk and those close to him have indicated that the receiver is OK with playing somewhere other than San Francisco. Shortly after the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, Aiyuk’s girlfriend and close friend indicated that he had played in his final game with the team.

Aiyuk only heated up those rumors recently. He appeared to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram earlier in April, sparking even more buzz that he could be done in San Francisco.

Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne shared his desire for the team to trade for Aiyuk in a recent interview with Boston.com’s Khari Thompson as the two were teammates for a season in San Francisco.

“He’s my guy, and I think he’ll fit in,” Bourne said. “Just being a one-on-one receiver at X. He can take a whole half of the field and dominate and create a lot of attention for himself. That’s big in our offense, the X receiver?”

Aiyuk would certainly improve the Patriots’ receiver room and give new quarterback Drake Maye a top-tier weapon. The 26-year-old had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season, his fourth in the league.