{"id":216507,"date":"2025-02-14T13:16:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T18:16:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=216507"},"modified":"2025-02-14T13:16:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T18:16:44","slug":"patriots-the-perfect-trade-destination-for-these-pro-bowl-wrs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/02\/14\/patriots-the-perfect-trade-destination-for-these-pro-bowl-wrs\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots The Perfect Trade Destination For These Pro Bowl WRs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/patriots\/\" target=\"_self\">Patriots<\/a> will be searching for help at wide receiver all offseason. When free agency opens in March, they\u2019ll likely pursue <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bengals\/\" target=\"_self\">Bengals<\/a> star Tee Higgins. During the draft in April, they\u2019ll be linked to names like <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/10\/10\/tetairoa-mcmillan-2025-nfl-scouting-report\/\" target=\"_self\">Tetairoa McMillan<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/12\/24\/luther-burden-iii-2025-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Luther Burden<\/a> in the first round. But should New England look to the trade market, there are already two names worthy of moving assets for.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Patriots The Perfect Trade Destination For Deebo Samuel and Cooper Kupp<\/h2>\n<p>After recent trade requests, both Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel will need a new team in 2025 and the ideal landing spot for either of them may be in New England. The Patriots have the means and financial capabilities to acquire one of Samuel or Kupp.<\/p>\n<h3>Playmaking and Leadership<\/h3>\n<p>The Patriots haven\u2019t had a receiver that brings both leadership and playmaking ability on offense since Julian Edelman retired in 2021. Kupp and Samuel are some of the best playmaking receivers in the NFL. On top of that, they have both been voted captains by their respective teams at some point in their careers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Oh captain our captains. \ud83e\udee1 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bhrGDhoCva\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/bhrGDhoCva<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RamsNFL\/status\/1828862853832683957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Newly hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels loves to manufacture touches for his playmakers on offense. Think of the calls he would have for Samuel in New England and the kind of routes he would allow Kupp to run out of the slot.<\/p>\n<p>Now more than ever, the Patriots need to give Drake Maye a \u201cgo-to\u201d receiver who can win downfield and turn short throws into touchdowns. Kupp and Samuel would step into the Patriots wide receiver room and immediately raise both the floor and the ceiling of the offense.<\/p>\n<h3>Flexing the Financial Muscles<\/h3>\n<p>Both receivers require a large financial commitment from the team trading for them. Kupp will earn over $20 million in each of the next two seasons. While Samuel carries a $17.5 million cap hit into the final year of his current contract.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Projected Top 51 NFL Cap Space<\/p>\n<p>1. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Patriots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Patriots<\/a>, $123M<br \/>2. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Raiders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Raiders<\/a>, $95M<br \/>3. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Commanders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Commanders<\/a>, $80M<br \/>4. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Cardinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Cardinals<\/a>, $71M<br \/>5. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Bears<\/a>, $65M<br \/>&#8230;<br \/>30. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Dolphins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Dolphins<\/a>, -$15M<br \/>31. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Browns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Browns<\/a>, -$27M<br \/>32. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Saints?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Saints<\/a>, -$51M<\/p>\n<p>Track All: <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aU10kAXGMr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/aU10kAXGMr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Spotrac (@spotrac) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/spotrac\/status\/1888928042468139142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>With the most cap space in the NFL, the Patriots have the financial flexibility to make this trade without limitations. They can either extend Samuel to a lofty extension or trade for Kupp and comfortably take on the cap hit he brings with him for the next two seasons.<\/p>\n<h3>Previous Trade Rumours<\/h3>\n<p>Before the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsportsboston.com\/nfl\/new-england-patriots\/patriots-deebo-samuel-trade-49ers\/607563\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">discussed a Samuel trade with the 49ers<\/a>. Although they never agreed upon it, Elliot Wolf and John Lynch have already discussed some groundwork for a potential trade.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I&#39;m told the <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Patriots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Patriots<\/a> had preliminary trade discussions on <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/49ers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#49ers<\/a> WR Deebo Samuel prior to the NFL Draft, per source. <\/p>\n<p>In general, when teams explore potential transactions with other clubs, finding middle ground on compensation can be challenging. There are always many\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bOXi1GtcNJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/bOXi1GtcNJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JosinaAnderson\/status\/1783869846519746958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 26, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The circumstances for both teams are as similar now as they were a year ago. San Francisco needs to clear payroll to pay their star quarterback. New England still has a glaring need at wide receiver.<\/p>\n<p>Moving Samuel would open up playing time for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/49ers\/\" target=\"_self\">49ers<\/a> younger, cheaper receivers like Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. A trade to New England would allow Samuel to be the top option on the depth chart.<\/p>\n<h3>Reunion of Eastern Washington Teammates<\/h3>\n<p>Familiar faces always help new players adjust. If Kupp were traded to New England, he would be reunited with Kendrick Bourne. The two formed a dynamic receiving duo at the University of Eastern Washington.<\/p>\n<p>In three of the four seasons played together, Bourne and Kupp helped the Eagles win the Big Sky Conference. They combined for over 9,500 receiving yards and 100 touchdowns at Eastern Washington.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I ain\u2019t no GM or nothing but I can promise anyone this money is gonna be worth it!!!!!!! <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mc6KXVkLbY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/mc6KXVkLbY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BournePoly11\/status\/1886580073152831665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Bourne has already taken to social media and tried his hand at recruiting Kupp to New England. With both players exiting the prime of their football careers, it would be hard to envision similar production if they both suited up for the Patriots. But the idea of reuniting in New England could make the Patriots an ideal landing spot for Kupp.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Many Patriots fans appear weary of trading valuable draft assets to acquire older talent. But if New England has the chance to trade for former league-leading, All-Pro receivers, they have to at least consider it.<\/p>\n<p>Kupp and Samuel are the ideal buy-low candidates that Elliot Wolf and the Patriots should be looking to acquire via trade this offseason. The possibility of re-uniting Kupp and Bourne is exciting. McDaniels scheming up offensive plays for Samuel is exciting as hell too.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main Image: Bill Streicher &#8211; USA Today Sports<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s not everyday receivers like Deebo Samuel or Cooper Kupp are available. The Patriots could be as ideal of a landing spot as any.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5437,"featured_media":216800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[1920,4793,7394,9527],"class_list":["post-216507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots","tag-cooper-kupp","tag-deebo-samuel","tag-new-england-patriots-news","tag-nfl-trade-deadline"],"modified_by":"Isaac Zuniga","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5437"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216507"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":216801,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216507\/revisions\/216801"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/216800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=216507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=216507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}