Report: Patriots looking into trade market for impact receiver

The New England Patriots are looking into the trade market for a veteran wide receiver, according to a report from Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan.

The Patriots missed out in the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes, with the former Jacksonville Jaguars leading receiver going to the Tennessee Titans. New England did make a series of moves at the wide receiver position, including cutting DeVante Parker last week and re-signing Kendrick Bourne.

They still have other in-house options with Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton. However, the team still needs a No. 1 receiving target, and they could seek that player in a trade.

Caplan wrote:

Not only did the Patriots have serious interest in signing WR Calvin Ridley, but a league source with knowledge of the situation said the team has looked into the trade market for other veterans at the position.

As another source points out, New England has gotten little production out of the wide receiver position for years (especially drafted players), and they’re looking to add at least one impact player at the position this offseason.

The 2024 NFL draft is full of wide receiver talent, which means opportunities to hit on playmakers there as well.

There could also be an opportunity for New England to make a play at WR Tee Higgins before the draft if the Cincinnati Bengals decide to move him.

The latter would be the splash fans have been waiting to see, but even a rookie prospect would shake things up for the better in New England.