The New England Patriots need to add some wide receivers sooner rather than later. Tom Brady is an impending free agent, and multiple reports indicate that New England wants to improve their pass-catching depth chart before the start of the free agency. With no other avenue to do that, New England will have to focus in on some potential Patriots wide receiver trade targets.
Possible New England Patriots Wide Receiver Trade Targets
Tier 1: Pipe Dream Legitimate Studs
Keenan Allen
The Los Angeles Chargers are in the midst of a rebuild. Philip Rivers won’t be back in 2020, and the team won’t be able to compete with Tyrod Taylor or a rookie under center, especially when they’re in the same division as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers would like to keep Allen around to help develop a young quarterback, but he’s only under contract through the 2020 season. It stands to reason that the Chargers would sell Allen for the right cost, and his skillset is a perfect fit in New England.
Odell Beckham
The Patriots reportedly tried to get Odell Beckham at this point last year, but the Giants refused to trade with New England. After a disappointing season in Cleveland and a new front office, the Browns might decide to move on without the talented wide receiver. Bill Belichick has a history of getting the most out of disgruntled wide receivers with elite skillsets, and a now-healthy Beckham should be better in 2020 than he was in 2019. This probably won’t be Brady to Randy Moss version 2.0, but Beckham would be New England’s best receiver since Moss.
Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams desperately need draft capital and cap space. The organization has made the highly-questionable decision of trading essentially all of their first-round picks for established veterans on big-money deals. Because of this, they run the risk of letting homegrown studs like Cooper Kupp leave for nothing. Kupp is one of the best slot receivers in football, is only under contract for one more season, and is going to cost a fortune to retain. The Rams probably can’t bring him back, so they should be willing to trade him away for decent draft compensation.
Tier 2: Solid Starters
Curtis Samuel
If New England can’t get one of the three aforementioned studs, Curtis Samuel should be the top Patriots wide receiver trade target. The former second-round pick is extremely talented, but hasn’t had the chance to truly showcase all he can be. Kyle Allen was one of the worst quarterbacks in the league last year and routinely missed Samuel on several open throws. Pairing Samuel with a quarterback like Brady should give New England a dangerous deep passing attack similar to what Brandin Cooks did in 2017. The Panthers are in a rebuild and, if the new organization doesn’t view Samuel as part of their long-term future, could trade him away for more draft capital.
Robert Woods
The second Rams wide receiver to make it on this list is a far more realistic target. It’s going to be hard for the Rams to retain Cooper Kupp, but their recent team-building philosophy suggests they’ll find a way to make it work. One of the ways they could do this is by saying goodbye to Robert Woods. Woods is still under contract for two more seasons and would give Los Angeles an additional $8 million in 2021 cap space to throw at Cooper Kupp.
Marvin Jones
The Detroit Lions have needs all across the roster and are in no business to compete in 2020. Because of this, it makes sense for them to trade away an aging wide receiver in Marvin Jones. Even though he’s entering his age-30 season, Marvin Jones is still a solid starter capable of winning on the outside and making plays in the intermediate and deep parts of the field. He’s not a superstar, but he’d give the roster some much-needed depth, reliability, and experience.
Adam Humphries
The New England Patriots came this close to signing Adam Humphries last year, but the slot receiver ultimately decided to go to the Tennessee Titans. That decision didn’t really work out, as the former undrafted free agent recorded just 37 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns. With A.J. Brown emerging as a genuine stud, the Titans might decide to cut ties with Humphries, even though they’d only save just over $2 million in cap space by doing so.
Mike Williams
Mike Williams hasn’t quite lived up to his top-10 draft selection, but the Los Angeles Chargers’ wide receiver is still a good starter and near the end of his contract. This situation is somewhat similar to Curtis Samuel in that the Chargers probably won’t trade him if they think he’s a key part of their rebuild. However, if the Chargers they can replace Williams’ production down the road at a fraction of the cost, he could be on the market.
Tier 3: Serviceable Depth
Kenny Stills
The Houston Texans have a plethora of wide receivers and not too many draft picks. Kenny Stills is currently behind DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller on the depth chart, and the Texans could trade him away if they value draft picks over a third wide receiver. Bill O’Brien and Bill Belichick obviously have a close connection from their time in New England, which always helps in trade negotiations.
Alex Erickson
Last, and probably least, is Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson. The former sixth-round pick is far from a superstar, but he’s the type of guy you love to have as reliable depth. Buried behind A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, Erickson hasn’t had the opportunity to compile too many volume stats in Cincinnati’s offense. However, he’s looked good when on the field and could be a solid option out of the slot. It shouldn’t take too much to acquire him in a trade, so the Patriots could still add other weapons if they sent a mid- or late-round pick for his services.
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