The 2024 season is over.
It’s common knowledge that the Patriots need to upgrade the team’s receiver room. In fact, it’s been a problem since Brady was in town.
New England hasn’t had a Pro Bowl wide receiver since Wes Welker in 2012, and there hasn’t been a 1,000-yard receiver in Foxborough since Julian Edelman in 2019. Those players are both long retired, in fact an entire new regime has taken over in Gillette Stadium since their playing days.
Head coach Mike Vrabel seems to be well aware of New England’s glaring needs at wide receiver, as he addressed the issue during a recent press conference.
“We’ll continue to look at the wide receiver position as it relates to free agency,” Vrabel said via ProFootballTalk. “Explore every option with other teams, and potentially, then we’ll get to the point where we’re looking at the draft. There’s just a lot of time.”
The options prior to the draft are running out quickly. New England has already missed out on many big-name wide receivers available this offseason.
Which Wide Receivers Are Off The Board?
- Christian Kirk
- DK Metcalf
- Davante Adams
- Deebo Samuel
- Tee Higgins
- Chris Godwin
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Cooper Kupp
A lot of big-time names on that list, many of whom still have a lot of good years left in the NFL. A few names are still available this late into free agency, but they come with more risk than reward.
Keenan Allen Met With Patriots
Coming off his worst season since playing double-digit games in a year, Allen has already stated multiple times he will either stay in Chicago or sign with one of the Los Angeles teams (Chargers or Rams).
That didn’t stop Allen from meeting with the Patriots, though.
If the Patriots are interested in Allen’s services, it will take a lot of money to convince the former Pro Bowl wide receiver to play on the East Coast. Even if Allen was offered enough money, would that be enough to convince him to play in Foxborough?
Amari Cooper
Cooper’s 2024 production was underwhelming at best, especially when the wideout was paired with Josh Allen at the trade deadline.
At just 547 yards in 15 games, Cooper’s best days could be behind him. But if he wants one last shot to prove himself, New England might be the best place for him as he would easily be the top receiving option. The Patriots would likely be able to acquire his services for cheap as well, especially after a down year.
Stefon Diggs
Diggs may be the most risky option on this list simply because no one knows how he’ll perform.
As a member of the Houston Texans last year, Diggs tore his ACL, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Nearing a full recovery, the former All-Pro may be ready to sign with a new team soon. Patriots fans likely remember the nightmares Diggs caused them when he was a member of the Bills, so it might be nice to be on the other end of those touchdowns for once.
But at 31 years old and coming off an injury, it would be a risky move to say the least.
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