The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with free agent wide receiver Romeo Doubs from the Green Bay Packers on a four-year deal worth up to $80 million, as announced on Tuesday.
With Doubs now on board to replace Stefon Diggs, the Patriots still need to add another veteran to their receiving corps. New England may also consider trading for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, but doing so could require a significant draft pick, and the Patriots might be hesitant to give up a high pick after securing Doubs.
New England could take a different route in finding a veteran wide receiver, and here are two names the Patriots should consider trading for.
Los Angeles Chargers, WR, Quentin Johnston
The Chargers selected Johnston in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but his career hasn't unfolded as many expected. After 46 career games, he has recorded 144 receptions, totaling 1,877 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Johnston stands tall at 6-foot-2, which would make him a valuable target in the red zone for Drake Maye. Johnston is due a $4.5 million cap hit this season, and New England would have the opportunity to pick up his fifth-year option this offseason for the 2027 season, which would carry a $16 million cap hit.
The Chargers could be a team that trades for Brown, which might make them willing to part ways with Johnston. The Patriots could snag Johnston for a mid-round pick, and they should be all over it if Los Angeles makes him available.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Similar to Johnston, Addison was a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and his career has been quite a rollercoaster during his first three seasons. In his initial two seasons, he recorded 1,786 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns over 32 games. However, last season was challenging as he appeared in only 14 games due to a three-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's Substance Abuse Policy following a DUI charge in 2024. He recorded only 610 receiving yards and scored three times this past season.
Addison is slated to earn $4.3 million this season, and he has a fifth-year option for 2027 worth $18 million. For New England to acquire him, it will likely need to package a Day 2 pick at the outset. Yet, if the Patriots can tap into the potential he showed during his first two seasons, they could end up getting a real bargain.
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