New England Patriots: 3 problems Pats can’t fix during draft
By Jerry Trotta
2. Wide Receiver
Despite signing the likes of Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor to multi-year deals in free agency, the Patriots could still prove to benefit from adding another wide receiver, as neither player is a clearcut No. 1 option at the position.
On top of that, Julian Edelman retired and New England is reportedly listening to trade offers for N’Keal Harry, who produced another dud as a sophomore. For context, the 2019 first-round pick logged just 33 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games last season.
Will the Patriots be bold and draft a wide receiver this weekend?
With that being said, it would be a tough sell to fans if they drafted a WR after they spent a combined $37 million on Bourne and Agholor — unless it’s one of many first-round studs like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith.
That isn’t to say Belichick and Co. couldn’t draft a receiver in the second, third or fourth rounds, but — barring them finding an absolute gem — doing so wouldn’t exactly do much to shore up their need for a true top target for Cam Newton. Given the success they’ve had at selecting WRs, we wouldn’t hold our breath on them finding a star late.
If the Patriots don’t draft a wideout at No. 15 overall and fail to snag an immediate superstar in the middle rounds, the position will remain an area of concern for the remainder of the offseason despite their moves in free agency.