The Patriots should have tried harder to make a WR trade

The New England Patriots are in the thick of a playoff race at their bye week, but their lack of offensive playmakers will continue to hurt.  A common theme that I have attached to the Patriots and that I have seen others echo during the season is is that they have a ton of average or good players.

Outside of Matthew Judon and maybe someone else on the defense, New England does not have an elite, high-end player on the roster.  This holds true for the offense, which features a good bit of talent, but the talent itself is not scaring anyone.

Their wide receiver room of DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers does not put fear into opposing secondaries, but the unit itself is incredibly deep.  Rhamondre Stevenson is emerging as a special player, but he isn’t there yet.

The offensive line, when healthy, is very good, but perhaps is not oozing with talent, and their tight ends are good, but not great.  It’s not a bad problem to have, especially on defense.  Yet again, the team’s defense is one of the best in the NFL, and has largely held their own for the first nine games.

The issue yet again appears to be the offense, which not only features a quarterback problem, but also a lack of high-end talent.  At the trade deadline, the Patriots were apparently interested in Chase Claypool, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, now of the Chicago Bears.

It makes sense that they were, as Claypool is a physical specimen at the position and provides the WR1 upside that the Patriots have needed for years.  It would have also likely made it easier on Mac Jones to operate knowing he as someone like Claypool.

Perhaps the Patriots didn’t want to cough up a second rounder for his services, or perhaps they figure they need more than a wide receiver to compete.  I don’t think they are totally off if they thought both of those things, but they should have considered adding someone.