PATRIOTS FREE AGENTS: None
NOTABLE EXTERNAL FREE AGENTS: Tee Higgins (franchise tag), Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, Marquise Brown, Darius Slayton, Mack Hollins, Brandin Cooks, Demarcus Robinson, Justin Watson, Josh Palmer, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
The Patriots enter another offseason where acquiring high-end wide receiver talent is at the top of the to-do list.
Last offseason, the Patriots pursued prized free-agent receiver Calvin Ridley and trade target Brandon Aiyuk but came up empty-handed. Along with pursuing top veterans, the Patriots drafted wide receivers Ja'Lynn Polk (37th overall) and Javon Baker (110th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Polk and Baker's rookie seasons were disappointing, with the duo combining for just 13 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
Last season, the Patriots highest-ranked receiver in ESPN's wide receiver metric was DeMario Douglas. Douglas finished 25th among 116 qualified wideouts in the metric, which uses player tracking data to determine separation, contested catch ability, and generating yards after the catch to create a catch-all number to rank receivers. The Pats other wideouts ranked as follows: Kayshon Boutte (38th), Kendrick Bourne (54th), and Polk (115th).
The metrics show that the Patriots must upgrade at the wide receiver position this offseason. Frankly, we don't need analytics to tell us that. The Pats are long overdue for an impact playmaker. Following a similar model as teams that have successfully built around young quarterbacks, it's time to get Maye his Stefon Diggs, A.J. Brown, or Ja'Marr Chase. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done due to what's available on the free-agent market. Plus, under head coach Mike Vrabel, the Pats need to make themselves a more desirable destination for prized free agents.
Along those lines, the hope was that Bengals star wideout Tee Higgins would hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. Cincinnati has QB Joe Burrow on a lucrative franchise quarterback contract, while it also needs to pay Chase and stud pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. It'll be challenging to keep the band together in Cincy, with Higgins being a sensible odd man out since the Bengals already have a triple-crown winner in Chase.
However, the Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins for the second straight offseason, with a $26 million placeholder if the team cannot agree to an extension with the 26-year-old. There's still a chance that Higgins could be traded on the franchise tag as a way for the Bengals to maximize his trade value, but it'll now take more than just money to acquire Higgins, who would also need to hear a great pitch from Vrabel and company to join the Patriots.
To cite ESPN analytics again, Higgins would be the Patriots best receiver immediately, ranking 14th among qualified wide receivers. Although there are some soft-tissue injury concerns with Higgins, who is known to miss games here or there for nagging injuries, acquiring Higgins would be a no-brainer for the wide receiver-needy Patriots.
The next best option on the free-agent market is current Bucs wideout Chris Godwin, but that also comes with some hurdles. First, Godwin and Tampa Bay pushed back the wideout's contract expiration date to right before free agency. Godwin's current deal voids when it expires, and pushing back the expiration date typically signals that the two sides are working on an extension before the deal voids. Godwin has spent his entire eight-year career in Tampa, so this maneuvering suggests there's mutual interest in Godwin remaining a Buc. The other obstacle is that Godwin is recovering from a dislocated ankle that cut his 2024 season short. When healthy, Godwin is still an elite big-slot/Z receiver, ranking fifth in ESPN's wide receiver metric. But the tea leaves suggest he'll remain in Tampa Bay on a contract extension before the new league year.
The options become less appealing once you remove Higgins and Godwin from the market. Stefon Diggs is coming off a torn ACL at age 31, while Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, and Keenan Allen are also aging with the film and stats backing up a decline in effectiveness. The Pats might need to take a risk on a once-elite vet in the hopes that there's something left in their tanks or monitor the trade market for a receiver more in the prime of his career. There are also mid-tier options like vertical threat Darius Slayton and former Vrabel draft pick Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, but they're not the coverage-dictating receivers New England covets.
Speaking of the trade market, there's a disgruntled star receiver nearly every offseason who can be had for the right price. Seahawks wideout D.K. Metcalf might fit the mold this offseason, but Metcalf has expressed some doubt publicly about joining the Patriots. Money talks, though, so maybe Metcalf's opinion can be flipped. Other in-their-prime options worth monitoring are pre-agents, or receivers set to be UFAs next offseason who need new contracts, like Saints WR Chris Olave or Packers wideout Christian Watson. Due to EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf's relationship with the Packers, Watson is an under-the-radar trade target. There are several others with varying degrees of likelihood, such as Garrett Wilson, Drake London, Jameson Williams, and George Pickens.
Lastly, Rams veteran Cooper Kupp and 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk could be available via trade. Kupp said he'd like to be dealt to a contender, which LA will likely consider due to their longstanding relationship. Plus, Kupp's play is on the decline at age 32, while he's due about $20 million on his contract for the 2025 season. The Pats were interested in trading for Aiyuk last offseason, so it's clear they like the player. Since then, Aiyuk suffered a season-ending torn ACL last October, so we'll see if either side has a change of heart.
The easiest path to acquiring a true No. 1 receiver is by drafting one of your own, but that has proven challenging for New England. At some point, they must hit on one of its pursuits for an elite playmaker, or it's hard to envision the offense being championship-caliber.
One would expect the Patriots to be active participants in the top of the veteran wide receiver market this offseason, whether via free agency or trade.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
