New England Patriots Need To Sign A Veteran Wide Receiver Now

It’s been over two weeks since the beginning of free agency and the New England Patriots have still yet to make a move for a big-name wide receiver.

Despite all of the rumors and speculation that the Patriots would address their need for a No. 1 wide receiver, New England has struck out in their quest for one.

And while most of the top receivers may be gone from the free agent pool, that doesn’t mean the Patriots still can’t sign one. Notable names such as Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Cole Beasley and Julio Jones remain available.

Their top target, Allen Robinson, signed a deal with the Los Angeles Rams for three years, $45 million. Prior to his signing, the Patriots had reportedly done “excessive work” on a variety of receivers, including Robinson and the Carolina Panthers’ Robby Anderson, according to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi.

“The Patriots have done what one source described to me as “excessive” work on a variety of vet WRs available either in free agency (yes, including Allen Robinson) and those who might be available via trade (Robby Anderson, as first reported by @GregABedard),” said Giardi on March 9.

We’re now towards the end of March and all of the top wideouts have signed with other teams.

Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Christian Kirk and Russell Gage have all signed with other teams.

To address the most glaring issue on their roster, the Patriots have signed Ty Montgomery to a low-risk $3.6 million deal across two years, a hybrid running back/wide receiver who last caught over 25 passes in a season back in 2016.

That’s simply not going to cut it.

Mac Jones struggled towards the end of the 2021 season and it wasn’t just due to the fact that New England was facing tougher competition — it was also due to the Patriots’ lack of weapons at wide receiver being a glaring issue.

The Patriots’ late-season matchups against tougher competition simply exposed their lack of talent at the receiver position. With the exception of their wins over the Buffalo Bills — one could argue it was more of a fluke victory due to the abnormally high gusts of wind at 55 miles per hour — and Tennessee Titans, all of New England’s victories were over playoff-less teams.

Former undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers is not a No. 1 receiver, but he’s playing that role in New England. Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor as the secondary receivers are fine if you’re a team not expecting to contend.

The Patriots have a desperate need for a slot receiver, the key to their offense dating back to the Wes Welker days of the 2000’s. Since Julian Edelman’s career-ending injury in 2020, New England has lacked that.

Landry — who as recently as the 2020 season ranked among the league’s best receivers — and Beasley are both quality options for that role. Beasley posted an 84.9 offensive grade in 2020, ranking ninth among all receivers, according to Pro Football Focus.

In the case of Beckham, the 29-year-old receiver is coming off of a serious ACL injury that will likely sideline him into the regular season.

Now would be the perfect time to sign the former three-time Pro Bowl receiver, who has hinted at playing for Bill Belichick in the past.

Before playing against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in 2019, Beckham had the following to say regarding his fondness for Belichick.

“Going against Bill Belichick, this is somebody who I have much respect for,” said Beckham. “Probably talk to him before and after the game. He tells me the same thing every time, he’s like: ‘I hope you enjoy today because there’s not going to be much for you.’ That’s what he’s told me and that’s what he does every single time. It’s just tough. He’s going to coach it up and they’re going to be ready and prepared.”

Getting Beckham at a bargain rate would be the perfect way to bring a high-caliber receiver to New England.

And as far as Jones is concerned, the 33-year-old market’s isn’t exactly vast following the worst season of his career — 31 receptions for 434 yards and one touchdown. However, the rangy 6-foot-3 wide receiver could provide the Patriots an asset they’re desperately lacking at the receiver position, which is a viable touchdown threat.

Bourne led all Patriots receivers with five touchdown catches while their top three wideouts combined for just eight total touchdowns receptions on the season.

The Patriots need to sign one of these veteran receivers as they look to clinch a second consecutive postseason berth in Jones’ sophomore campaign at QB.