Patriots: Ranking rumored wide receiver targets for New England

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs after making a catch in the third quarter against Grayland Arnold #37 of the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs after making a catch in the third quarter against Grayland Arnold #37 of the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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DK Metcalf #14 lifts Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
DK Metcalf #14 lifts Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

2. Tyler Lockett/DK Metcalf

This isn’t ranking the likelihood of the Patriots landing the options — it’s ranking their talent/fit. The Seattle Seahawks seem to be tearing down the operation after trading Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, which has led some to speculate receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf could also be available for the right price.

Lockett continually produces like a No. 1 wideout while Metcalf has the physical profile the Patriots are more than likely seeking. At 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds, Lockett is dwarfed by Metcalf (6-foot-4, 235 pounds), but the numbers weren’t much different in 2021. They can both get open in different ways, have tremendous hands, and frequently find the end zone (20 touchdowns between the two).

Now, for the financial situations. Lockett is under a newly-signed four-year, $69 million contract that kicks in this coming season, but he has a low $10 million cap hit for 2022 because the Seahawks structured it to limit the impact in the short term. Metcalf is still on his rookie deal (but the final year) and has a cap hit in the $4.3 million range.

But it’s unclear if Seattle is willing to move either one. What if they plan to draft a stud rookie QB and keep things as is? Perhaps spend more in free agency and expedite the rebuild? On the other hand, they’ll have to convince Metcalf of that plan if they want him to stick around. At times, he appeared frustrated with Seattle’s offense, and it’s not getting any better in the interim with Wilson gone.

Either one is a win for the Patriots if possible, but it’ll cost notable draft capital. On the flip side, acquiring Metcalf could help finally shut the door on Harry, who was selected well before the Mississippi star back in 2019 — one of the bigger draft blunders in recent history.