NFL Expert: Patriots Exploring Trade for 'Impact' Receiver; Next Target?
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Over the years, the New England Patriots have received continued criticism for their lack of weapons on offense. Despite a new era in Foxboro with new de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo leading the way, that criticism hasn't gone away.
It has seemingly intensified after Wolf and Mayo talked about "burning some cash" and "weaponizing" their offense this offseason, before their pursuit of Calvin Ridley ended with him signing with the Tennessee Titans.
It was until recently that the Patriots, who came into free agency with the second-most cap space in the league, looked like they would run it back with the same group of receivers. That has changed with the signing of K.J. Osborn. But, even with the addition of the 26-year-old, a new report from Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network reveals the Patriots may not be done "weaponizing" their offense.
"Not only did the Patriots have serious interest in signing WR Calvin Ridley, but a league source with knowledge of the situation said the team has looked into the trade market for other veterans at the position," Caplan writes.
"As another source points out, New England has gotten little production out of the wide receiver position for years (especially drafted players), and they’re looking to add at least one impact player at the position this offseason."
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The latest from Caplan confirms what we had previously reported before Ridley decided. The Patriots' "Plan B" has been to add a veteran receiver via a trade.
According to The Athletic's Chad Graff, the three potential targets at that time were Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen, and Brandon Aiyuk. Of that original trio, only two are still available, as the Los Angeles Chargers recently traded the 31-year-old Allen to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
However, the Patriots may be considered lucky to have missed out on Allen, considering his age and potential risk of a decline. Now, they are left with the potential of adding a 25-year-old Higgins or Aiyuk, 26.
Higgins, the current Cincinnati Bengals star, has long been linked with the Patriots, even dating back to last offseason. However, those links have only increased with his request for a trade earlier this month after the Bengals franchise tagged him due to his inability to agree on a long-term contract extension.
While playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase at receiver, Higgins totaled at least 900 yards in each of his first three years. That was before injuries saw him miss six games this past season, as he recorded a career-low 656 yards and five touchdowns on 42 receptions.
Then there is Aiyuk, who, despite being the San Francisco 49ers' leading receiver last season with 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, could be heading into a similar situation as Higgins.
The former first-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Aiyuk has already been the center of speculation after his "best" friend's Instagram Story post complaining about the 25-year-old having just three catches in the Super Bowl went viral.
While there has been no official indication that Aiyuk is available or even looking to be moved, it is worth a shot nonetheless from the Patriots.
