Patriots AFC foe reportedly blocked them from trading back into first round for a WR

The New England Patriots were interested in getting back into the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. And it turns out they had an offer on the table to one of their divisional rivals. 

According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots had conversations with the Buffalo Bills about acquiring their No. 32 overall pick in Round 1 on Thursday night. But the Bills ended up going in a different direction. 

“The Patriots had a trade offer on the table to the Bills late in the first round on Thursday night, according to a source,” Reiss wrote. “The Bills were at pick No. 32 (after a trade back with the Chiefs), but instead of dealing with their AFC East rival Patriots for No. 34, they chose Carolina’s offer to slide back one spot to No. 33.

“Receivers Xavier Legette and Keon Coleman were selected at 32 and 33 before the Patriots traded back from 34, so one can deduce the Patriots had either Legette or Coleman as their target — or possibly both. My hunch is Legette.”

It makes sense that the Patriots wanted to bring in a star receiver for new quarterback Drake Maye, but it also makes sense why the Bills wouldn't want a team in their division to get someone who would be so hard to defend. 

Ultimately, the Patriots ended up getting Washington receiver Ja'Lynn Polk. But there is always that "what if." 

Imagine Xavier Legette and Keon Coleman in a Patriots jersey for the 2024 season. 

But we can thank the Buffalo Bills for that not happening.