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Should Patriots ‘Pass or Pursue’ these top free agent wide receivers?

By Jack Long

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a seven yard reception for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 26, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a seven yard reception for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 26, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 04: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions during warm ups before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field on October 4, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 04: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions during warm ups before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field on October 4, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Kenny Golladay

Kenny Golladay had a tough 2020 campaign, only suiting up for five games due to injury. Despite the injury issues and time stuck with the moribund Detroit Lions organization, Golladay is a first-tier pass catcher and should garner more respect than he does.

An oft-forgotten name when it comes to the league’s top receivers, the Patriots would be smart to take advantage.

This man is a big body who is one of the best at making the contested catch; when Golladay goes up to get a ball, odds are he’s coming down with it.

If the Lions let him go, look for the Patriots to be very interested. The big receiver is becoming a popular commodity, and Bill Belichick should be more than intrigued by his work ethic and size/skill.

Verdict: Pursue

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

T.Y. Hilton

T.Y. Hilton is a couple years away from his last thousand-yard season, but he is still a crafty receiving talent who really picked it up in the second half of last season after a slow start in developing chemistry with Philip Rivers.

Hilton’s best years may be past him, though, and at age 31, it may be a risk to give the aging receiver a substantial deal – especially with the noticeable decline the past couple years.

Bill Belichick is not one to pay a player past his prime, and although Hilton would be an obvious upgrade to the group, he should be far from the first target.

Verdict: Pass

Other free agent wide receiver options for the New England Patriots:

There are a ton of other great depth receiver options that the Patriots should be doing their due diligence on this offseason.

Names like Marvin Jones, Curtis Samuel and Corey Davis may not be the sexiest ones, but they would immediately be the best options in New England’s weak receiver room.

Bill Belichick will have to bring in more than one newcomer to this pass-catching group, through whatever directions they choose to pursue. Any of the aforementioned names would be immediate impact players for this organization, and with an unprecedented amount of cap space available for the Patriots this spring, the free agency route may be the smartest.

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