The asking price for Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy has changed, but remains high

The Patriots remain one of the teams involved in trade rumors for Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. But what remains the biggest factor, as it usually is in New England, is the asking price.

And, according to reports, the price tag has evolved, but remains pretty high. According to Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright, the ask is a first-round pick or high second-round pick, plus a player.

So, if you’re the Patriots, what do you give up for Jeudy?

• It sounds like the 14th overall pick would get it done, and might have to, because the 46th pick is more of a mid-second-rounder. Sounds like the Broncos would want, roughly, a top-40 pick. The real question, though, is the roster player they’d give up.

  Another receiver would make sense. If Sean Payton wants a veteran and less of a project, perhaps he would opt for Kendrick Bourne over someone like Tyquan Thornton. The Patriots would be better off seeing it through with Thornton, anyway. And if Bill Belichick really wants to purge his locker room of perceived malcontents, you’d think Bourne would be at the top of that list.

  If the Broncos were interested in swapping Jeudy for a defensive player … would Josh Uche make sense for the Pats? Based on their 2022 numbers, a 972-yard receiver for an 11.5-sack edge rusher seems more than fair. If the Patriots don’t intend to re-sign Uche to a long-term deal, which would presumably be pretty expensive, then perhaps a trade wouldn’t be the worst idea.

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  DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 14: Tim Patrick #81 of the Denver Broncos, Jerry Jeudy #10 and Courtland Sutton #14 take to the field before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Empower Field At Mile High on November 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

• It’s fair to note that another Broncos insider, Mike Klis, “it doesn’t appear Denver is interested in moving” either Jeudy or Courtland Sutton, despite some teams getting “aggressive” with their offers. But even that report sounds less-than-definitive, as if the door is still ajar for a trade. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if this turns out to be an agent or team exec floating this report out there as a bargaining chip.

  The Patriots have nonetheless bolstered their pass-catching group so far in free agency. They traded away tight end Jonnu Smith and have replaced him with free-agent signing Mike Gesicki, and followed up losing receiver Jakobi Meyers with the signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster. Running back James Robinson represents a replacement for Damien Harris, and is more of a factor as a pass-catcher than Harris ever was.

  Belichick is ostensibly hoping that the new additions, arguably all upgrades, will add up to a greater whole for the Patriots offense. But their biggest move so far is still the hiring of Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. If O’Brien can unlock Mac Jones’ full potential, and the Patriots can get their offensive line to protect him better, then they should be pretty good on offense, certainly much better than the disastrous 2022 team.

  What would REALLY take them to the next level, however, would be to add a new No. 1 receiver atop the depth chart, like Jeudy would be. I’m choosing to wait for a more definitive closing of the door on a Jeudy trade before giving up on the possibility.

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  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.