The New England Patriots need help at receiver with Stefon Diggs getting released, and some of the best names are no longer available.
Alec Pierce agreed to a deal with the Indianapolis Colts almost instantly when the legal tampering window opened. Mike Evans reportedly agreed to a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, and Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. While some of the top names are gone, there are still some players left for the Patriots to target. Here are three players the Patriots should be pursuing to fill their need at wide receiver.
3. Romeo Doubs
Doubs has been playing for the Green Bay Packers for the last four seasons, and the Packers' scheme, paired with a deep receiving corps, has likely prevented him from putting up better numbers. However, he is very talented and could become an elite weapon when fed like a top target.
He never got that opportunity on the Packers thanks to the presence of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Matthew Golden, and the Packers' offensive philosophy that prioritizes the run and spreading the ball.
2. Brian Thomas Jr.
According to Connor Hughes, the Jacksonville Jaguars are listening to trade offers on Brian Thomas Jr. He has two seasons and a pending fifth-year option on his deal. The 2024 first-round pick was a Pro Bowler as a rookie, but struggled last season with a new head coach.
Thomas had 707 yards and two touchdowns, which was a huge step down from his 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown rookie campaign. The Patriots could try to get him back on track, and he would not cost much against the cap.
1. A.J. Brown
The Patriots have been linked to Brown in rumors for weeks. He has much respect for Mike Vrabel and has teased joining the Patriots in the past. Unlike Doubs and Thomas, Brown would be very expensive.
Not only does he have a $23 million cap hit next season, but he would cost draft capital to acquire via trade. The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly have a high price tag on him, but he is clearly better than Doubs and Thomas. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and has posted at least 1,000 yards in six of his seven seasons in the league.
He is a three-time Second-Team All-Pro and would give the Patriots a proven No. 1 receiver.
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