Following their failed pursuit of Calvin Ridley, the Patriots continue to be on the lookout for wide receivers. While speaking with reporters today, de facto general manager Eliot Wolf acknowledged that the team still had a need for an outside receiver (per Evan Lazar of the team website).
The Patriots moved on from DeVante Parker earlier this offseason and replaced him with K.J. Osborn, who Lazar profiles as more of a “complementary piece.” Further, Osborn is a better fit for the Z/slot role, a job that would also be ideal for the team’s other top wide receivers: Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas. While the team is still rostering the likes of Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte (along with veterans like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Reagor), it makes sense that the Patriots would be pursuing a speedster for their offense.
As a result, the Patriots have been mentioned as a popular landing spot for any of the veteran WRs that could shake loose, a grouping that includes the likes of Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins. While Wolf wouldn’t give any specifics, he did acknowledge that the team is pursuing multiple paths as they look to add to the position.
“We’ve had conversations with teams about different scenarios,” Wolf said. “Not just at receiver but at other positions. That’s definitely something that we’d be open to.”
The team was aggressive in their pursuit of Ridley, but the Patriots ended up losing the sweepstakes to the Titans. Robert Kraft previously said the team didn’t lose out on Ridley because of financials. Instead, the owner gave a variety of reasons for not adding the receiver, including taxes, the quarterbacks situation, and the WR’s girlfriend. However, Wolf seemed to acknowledge that it was indeed money that led to the Patriots losing out on the free agent wideout.
“Another team offered more money [for Ridley] would be the main thing,” Wolf said.
The Patriots could have their pick of the top WR prospects with the number-three pick, a grouping that’s led by Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers, and Washington’s Rome Odunze. However, since the team is expected to take a QB with their first-round pick, Lazar points to a number of later-round receivers like Adonai Mitchell, Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey, Devontez Walker, and Brenden Rice.
Bob Kraft purchased the Tug Job website. It was well within his budget especially considering the Patriots have about 50 million in cap space available.
Another article suggested that the Raiders would find it “impossible” to move up from 13. I’d say that this article suggests otherwise. A trade involving Adams and some other picks would be the easiest way to do it, and the Patriots would gladly take that offer.
Would that be the right thing to do? I actually don’t think so. A move down or staying put benefits Vegas more in my mind. However, I certainly don’t consider it “impossible” to get done, especially with the Pats at 3. Daniels, likely the target of a Raiders move-up, would likely be gone anyway, if the reports of Washington wanting him are true.
I don’t generally like moving up as a general rule, and less so in a deep draft, but if the Raiders really wanted to, the Pats profile as a potential partner. It will an expensive move, and one that would likely cost Vegas a team leader and historically great player who vouched publically for their new coach, but it could possibly be done if they wanted to. Telesco doesn’t seem in favor of doing so, which probably is the smarter move.
There is no chance the Pat’s are trading the #3 pick for Adam’s and some picks. Higgins or Aiyuk could potentially be had for a 2nd round pick. They will do this before trading the 3rd pick for Adam’s who is 31. No chance this happens
If it were just Adams, I’d agree. But Adams and good pucks? It could happen.
Bear in mind, I don’t think that it will. Please don’t misunderstand that part. But if it came down to it, Adams plus some great picks would a be a great haul for the supposed (emphasis on “supposed”) third best QB in the draft. I don’t think that it makes sense, mostly for the Raiders, but I do think that it would be enough to move the needle.
A.D Mitchell and Ladd are both likely 1st Round picks. Did Bob Lazar write this article?? lol
Even Brenden Rice is likely an easy 3rd Round pick..Referring to that group of likely latter first and second round picks as “later-Round receivers” is completely just ignorant and shows a simple lack of awareness in what is supposed to be his “area of expertise” lol…
Yeaaaaah, clearly not so much…
Should pursuit of a WR be a priority when the OL is poor and your QB depth chart might be the worst in the league?
Fair points. It would help, but enough?
That’s kind of why I would consider the trade down at New England’s spot, though. If they get the right QB (like Maye, who I think could be great if they get him protection), it’s worth it. But their line deserved MUCH more blame than it received the last two years (imagine how it looks after Andrews is go e). The line was worse than anything Zappe or Jones put on film, and the receivers were overall okay, not good. In such a deep draft at WR and OL, the Pats could do a lot and still nab a quarterback if they so wished.