The New England Patriots might have a big problem in 2023

The New England Patriots have a couple needs along the offense, but they might end up having a problem trying to solve this position.  The wide receiver position has been a sore spot for the team for years, and they tried to solve it this past offseason.

They drafted Tyquan Thornton in the NFL Draft and traded for DeVante Parker, formerly of the Miami Dolphins.  They also have Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, and Kendrick Bourne under contract.  The biggest issue with the team in it’s current state at WR is that while there are a plethora of solid players in that unit, there is no difference maker.

That is likely a reason why the offense hasn’t been able to do much this year.  Sure, the pass catchers are mostly reliable, but they aren’t special.  Both Agholor and Meyers are free agents this year as well.

The potentially bad thing here is that the free agent wide receiver market is kind of bare, and Jakobi Meyers might be the best player in this spot.  It would make a ton of sense for New England to re-sign him, and I think they do, but is the team really going go to into 2023 with Parker, Meyers, Thornton, and Bourne?

They could, but it isn’t going to scare anyone and limits what the offense can do.  Moreover, the team has not had a ton of luck drafting this position.  What makes you think that the Patriots will magically figure it out in 2023?

The easiest way to improve this unit, if we can even call it that, is to try and trade for a wide receiver in the coming offseason.  The Patriots apparently had some interest in Chase Claypool, but obviously that did not work out.

I’m going to take a guess and say that DeAndre Hopkins might be available as the Cardinals look headed to a mini rebuild.

Anyway, this problem might seem small now, but I think this is something that could turn into a bigger issue as we get closer to the 2023 offseason for the Patriots.