There are multiple ways the New England Patriots could add pass-catching help this offseason.
The Patriots could draft a receiver and/or sign a free agent given their draft capital and finances. But New England also could trade for an established pass-catcher, like it tried to do with Brandon Aiyuk.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer named a few high-profile receivers who could become available, though the NFL insider admitted it was too early to know for sure.
“Well, the easy answer is I don’t know because these things develop late,” Breer said on NBC Sports Boston’s pregame coverage before the Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Breer reflected on the Tyreek Hill trade and noted the star wideout was going into a contract year before the Kansas City Chiefs traded him to Miami.
“That’s where Terry McLaurin is. That’s where DK Metcalf is,” said Breer, who believes McLaurin is less likely to be dealt than Metcalf. “DK Metcalf could be a little bit of a different story. They have other answers at receiver on that roster with Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba now emerging. So Metcalf could be an interesting name.”
Breer also name-dropped a few wideouts nearing the end of their rookie contracts: the New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson and the New Orleans Saints’ Chris Olave.
“Those two places are going to have new coaches in 2025. Those two places, one will have a new general manager, the other could have somebody new in charge of personnel,” Breer said. “So those would be two other names to look at.”
Wilson and Olave, the No. 10 and 11 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, respectively, enter the final years of their respective rookie contracts in 2025 with a potential fifth-year option in 2026.
Given the Patriots have so many holes on their roster, including their biggest need at offensive tackle, New England might have to get creative in roster building this offseason.
