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3 wide receivers the Patriots should try and trade for this offseason

By Jack Long

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 27: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates on the sidelines after his teammates snagged an interception during the first half against the Washington Football Team at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 27: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates on the sidelines after his teammates snagged an interception during the first half against the Washington Football Team at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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A glaring weakness for the Patriots the past two seasons finally has to be addressed.

Cam Newton didn’t help their case with his play in 2020, but regardless of his performance, it’s clear the Patriots’ wide receiver room needs a total revamping. WR has to be on top of New England’s offseason checklist, and Bill Belichick has a few possible directions to take his hunt for upper echelon pass catchers.

Julian Edelman’s status for next season remains very much up in the air. It will hurt if we lose the Patriots great, but Jakobi Meyers looks poised to become New England’s next great slot receiver. N’Keal Harry deserves the benefit of the doubt after an injury-riddled rookie season and a ‘Cam Newton is throwing to you’ sophomore season. Harry has shown flashes of brilliance, and should have one more season to prove he is a capable starter.

This year’s free agent receiver class is the strongest we’ve seen in years with names like Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin up for grabs. This year’s draft also has some stud WRs that could be available around the Patriots’ No. 15 slot.

The Patriots, more than anything, need a No. 1 guy, and the trade route could offer some interesting and super talented names that could use a change of scenery. Let’s break down some potential big-name wide receivers that New England should do their due diligence on.

CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns makes a touchdown catch during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns makes a touchdown catch during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

3. Odell Beckham Jr.

The Cleveland Browns x OBJ experiment doesn’t appear to be working. Could the Patriots take advantage?

Odell Beckham Jr. only got to play seven games this season for the Cleveland Browns before tearing his ACL to end his year. Before the injury, though, there was a ton of chatter about the Browns’ partnership with OBJ and whether they are utilizing the superstar receiver correctly. Rumors even circulated pertaining to a potential Beckham Jr. trade at the deadline.

The Cleveland Browns has their best season in decades after making the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Their string of wins came shortly after OBJ went down for the season — leading to further speculation.

Beckham Jr. is only owed near $15 million per year the next three seasons, a great deal for a WR of his caliber.

The Patriots have been mentioned in Beckham Jr. talks since his days in New York and OBJ seems like a potential fit to be the next star receiver that Bill Belichick can get the most out of.

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