Injuries have hit the New England Patriots hard this year, especially in the wide receiver room.
As the team prepares for the Chicago Bears on Thursday and the next few weeks without Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs, there is a clear need for a veteran addition at the position. Here are some trade targets that could come in and help keep New England’s offense flourishing.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
After being drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, BTJ took the league by storm as a rookie with 87 catches for 1,282 yards and ten touchdowns.
Since his outstanding rookie season, Thomas, despite his elite combination of size, length, and speed, has seen his role with Jacksonville diminish. In the season plus games since, he has combined for 57 catches for 812 yards and three touchdowns.
At the prime age of 24, with plenty of productive years ahead of him, he just needs a change of scenery and the opportunity to get back to his rookie-year form, which are two things that New England can definitely provide.
Despite his undeniable talent, New England may be hesitant to trade away another high draft pick after parting with a future first-round pick to acquire A.J. Brown this offseason from the Eagles.
Jerry Jeudy, Browns
The former Pro-Bowl receiver has been with the Cleveland Browns the last three seasons, and each year has seen his role diminish. After an elite first year in Cleveland where he put up 90 catches for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns, Jeudy is now the Browns’ third receiver behind rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion.
With Cleveland’s youth movement in full effect, Jeudy, through six games this season, has been limited to 12 receptions for 150 yards.
Jeudy is just entering his prime at the age of 27 and would be the perfect complementary receiver to A.J. Brown and help quarterback Drake Maye‘s development.
Kendrick Bourne, Cardinals
Contrary to Thomas Jr. and Jeudy, Bourne has prior experience with New England, having spent the 2021-2024 seasons in Foxborough and serving as a vet to help former Patriots first-round pick Mac Jones.
Even on the wrong side of 30, Bourne is still a starting-caliber field stretcher. Through six games with the Cardinals, he has 22 receptions for 225 yards and has been targeted eight times in each of the team’s last two games following the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade.
Could Eliot Wolf bring the former Patriot back home to help out New England’s new franchise quarterback?
With the NFL Trade Deadline following the Week 9 games and injuries mounting, look for the Patriots to bring in a proven pass catcher to help Drake Maye and the offense.
