Patriots' Top WR Target: Pierce or Brown?

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NFL News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. The New England Patriots just released wide receivers to fond digs and now need a top playmaker to step up as their number one option. Trade rumors have linked them to Philadelphia Eagles, star AJ Brown, who's reportedly unhappy and wants a change. Brown knows new Patriots coach Mike Raible from their time together in Tennessee. That buzz got louder after the Buffalo Bills overpaid for DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears, which likely jacks up Brown's trade cost. At 28, Brown remains one of the league's elite receivers, but he's got a reputation for drama that turns some teams off. Podcasts or Bill Simmons pushed back hard on the idea during his Thursday show. He argued the Patriots should skip Brown, save their first round draft pick, and instead overpay for Indianapolis culture receiver Alec Pierce in free. Agency. Pierce, at just 25, brings less baggage and better recent trends.

1:03His receiving yards jumped from 514 to 1003 in the last two seasons, and he's led the NFL in yards per catch over that. Stretch. Meanwhile, Brown's production has dropped three years running as he nears 30. Free agency kicks off next week, so we'll see if New England chases Pierce or Pivot's elsewhere to fix their receiving core. This DNN story is thanks to our sponsor details in the description, a pillow that sounds as good as it feels. Built for listening in bed, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.