The Patriots are in a tough spot when it comes to a #1 “X” WR. Less so at the Slot. They have Douglass but the position should be upgraded.
If Higgins shakes loose without a Franchise Tag I would “make him an offer he can not refuse”- to borrow a line from The Godfather. I either want to get a FA and pay top dollar or I want a trade where it won’t cost me much and I can sign them to a new deal if needed or absorb all the money to help who I am getting them from thus reducing what I have to give up in trade.
That leaves me with 3 options. Option “A” option “B” and option “C” for a true viable #1 WR.
No other WR’s are available in Free Agency that make me want to go out of my way. Amari Cooper is 30 and had 12 drops down the stretch with the Bills. That is a sign of a QB who’s legs are going. Tyreik Hill is with Miami and I would not give them ANYTHING for him. He missed 1000 yards for the first time since 2019. He looked like he lost his top gear. He still coukd be a functional d1 for a year or two if he is engaged but he is a problem child and I am unsure I want to introduce that to the team so I am out on him. Besides I just don’t see that happening. Hollywood Brown… Over my dead body. Speaking of a dead body, DeAndre Hopkins reportedly retired and that’s a good idea. He is DONE.
SO NOW THAT I have set this up here are my top three options;
Higgins, and D.K. Metcalf are my top 2 options.
Higgins is likely going to be Franchised and I am not giving up Franchise level comp to get ANY WR. If he is a free agent just throw whatever money at him it takes.
Next, among my top options is Metcalf who will be 27 and has one year left on his deal and will command more the $30 million on his next deal. Likely both of my A options will cost something to even get them then you have to sign them to a long term deal to make the move worth while. The money to sign them both is no big deal for the Patriots who are drowning in cap space and cash. But can we shake them lose without giving up a pick in the top 50 this year? I’d give up our 3rd round and next years 1st round but thats the most I would give up for them. There is a second option where The Patriots could offer Seattle a 2025 3rd round pick, Kendrick Bourne and a 2026 2nd rounder. They might just do that.
Lastly, Davante Adams is my “C” option. He should be cut by the Jets. If he is and your not going to be able to get one of the top 2 targets then offer the 32 year old 3 yrs that ends after 2027 at 34 years old. 3 years for about $80 million. $20m bonus, $60 guaranteed $26.667m AAV should get it done.
There are no other WR’s I am excited by at all for the “X” position in free agency or via trade. If one of these 3 do not work out I would focus on improving the Slot position through Free Agency and try to address the “X” in the draft. There are a couple slots worth considering in the draft as well.
Slot in Free agency is arguably an easy fix either Trade a 5th rounder to the Rams for Cooper Kupp or wait until they release him and sign him then by throwing money at him and he will come if you make it worth his while. Deebo Samuel is another Slot option but only if he is released. I would not trade for him. I also wouldn’t want to over pay for him since I question if he has anything left. He is worth a gamble on a one year deal where we over pay.
Other then these options you have the Draft. I know I know they have had no luck there. Well honestly I am willing to dip my toe in twice if need be. There are a couple interesting “X” and a couple interesting Slot receivers in the Draft.
First, I feel he is a better quality of Player overall, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka. He is a tweener who can play “X” or Slot at a high level and I think could be special in the NFL with his versatility.
Next I like Tre Harris Ole Miss at the X. Despite missing time due to an injury he still had 60 catches for 1,030 yards. He not only runs a solid tree he is a big wide out that is dangerous on contested catches in the End Zone. I am not saying he is Randy Moss but there were moments when I had that thought.
The next WR is TCU’s Jack Bech. He may just be my favorite WR over all. I think he is going to be special. He hauled in 62 passes for 1,034 yards with nine touchdowns and played in the Senior Bowl in honor of his brother who was killed just prior over New Years by a terrorist in New Orleans. That kid has something special. He was a standout all week.
Lastly I like Utah State’s Jalen Royals… A LOT! Royals is going to make some team very happy as a field-stretcher who can house it from anywhere on the field. I haven’t previously spoken about him because I am just doing my deep dives now into the draft. My Free Agency thoughts are mostly complete now.
Royals’ is a high school high jumper (6’4″ PR) and AAU basketball player that looks every bit the athletic basketball player on the field operating in space like a point guard. He is that rare multi-sport athlete that shows the varied skills aquired from those sports on the gridiron. His speed at 210 pounds is impressive and unique.
After watching every snap from his last two seasons at Iowa (21 TD’s) after transfering from JUCO, what jumps out is how he’s developed into more than just a straight-line burner. He is going to be a nightmare for defenses while making some team very happy.
The tape shows a player who’s just scratching the surface and hasnt reached his potential yet. The things he needs to work on can be taught but there is no teaching that scorching breakaway speed and explosive gear he hits or the natural feel he shows for making space. Some evaluators will get hung up on the level of competition he played against, but that 211-yard game against Boise State’s NFL-caliber secondary told me everything I needed to know.
There are a few others worth drafting. Obviously I didn’t include Hunter or McMillan because I believe there are bigger needs and better fits in the first half of the draft. These were all players that should be available starting after pick #16.