Another great wide receiver option for the New England Patriots?

The New England Patriots and their offense could benefit from another quality pass catcher. Could veteran Julio Jones help in 2022?

Odell Beckham Jr. is the hottest name left on the free agent wide receiver market, and perhaps the hottest name left in free agency.  It’s understandable why some Patriots’ fans might want the team to consider signing the former Pro Bowler.

However, in the loaded AFC East, the Patriots should consider signing someone who has a much higher ceiling that Beckham, a better track record of success, and someone who doesn’t necessarily come with the attention that Beckham does.

Julio Jones would be another wide receiver who could thrive in New England.

I recently wrote about how I also think Emmanuel Sanders is good fit for the team, a better one than Beckham, and I also happen to think that Julio Jones would be an exceptional fit in New England as well.

I’m not trying to knock Odell Beckham.  He’s a borderline Hall of Fame player who was once the very best receiver in football, but injuries and perhaps lack of chemistry in his recent years have all but spelled the end of him being an effective option for NFL offenses.

Sure, Julio Jones also comes with some concerns, but I think his ceiling is much greater, and that’s something that the Patriots should consider.

Jones has played in just 19 games the past two seasons.  He’s missed 14 games in that time frame, but has managed 1,205 yards in those 19 games.

He’s got 63.4 yards per game in that timeframe, which is 1,078 yards over a 17 game season, so he’s still been effective even with his older age.

Odell Beckham Jr has not been nearly as effective in that same timeframe.  He’s played in two more games than Jones, but has only managed 856 yards and 67 receptions, which is an average of 40.8 yards per game.

All three of the Patriots’ AFC East opponents made significant moves this offseason–the Jets spent in free agency and had a very good draft, the Dolphins revamped their offensive line and added Tyreek Hill, and the Bills added Von Miller among many other quality defensive pieces.

The Patriots unfortunately did not do as well, essentially giving away Shaq Mason to the Buccaneers, and letting Ted Karras walk.  They traded for DeVante Parker, but he’s not someone who has proven to be able to move the needle for an offense.

Julio Jones is a first ballot, Hall of Fame talent–he has battled injuries the past two seasons, but remains perhaps the best option left for the Patriots to consider.

For context, the Patriots ranked 6th in the NFL in 2021, scoring 27.2 points per game.  Being that Josh McDaniels is now out of the picture, it’s reasonable to think that the Patriots’ points per game output could fall a bit.

If we couple that with the moves that the Jets and Dolphins made on offense, and the already potent offense of the Bills, the Patriots need to do everything in their power to ensure their offense can keep up with the rest.

Being so late in the offseason doesn’t necessarily allow the team to do much.  Outside of swinging an unlikely trade for Deebo Samuel or DK Metcalf, the Patriots should take a more cost and resource effective move.

Signing Julio Jones is something the team should consider.