Much of the changes the Patriots will be undergoing this offseason will be focused on the offense in its entirety. In addition to bringing in a new offensive coordinator and potentially other new coaches, Bill Belichick has a good amount of money to spend in free agency, similar to the infamous spree of the 2021 offseason.
But how should he spend that money?
Considering the list of needs on both sides of the ball, many holes on the roster will more than probably be filled via the draft. However, because he hasn’t had the best luck when selecting rookie receivers, it may be better to trade for the missing WR1 instead of drafting one.
There have been several bombshell trades of big-name receivers over the last few years, with Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams making the biggest headlines just last year. Because the Patriots are likely looking for their own flashy receiver, there are a few they should consider making a trade for once free agency begins.
Although many doubt Belichick would ever participate in a massive trade to get a top receiver in the league, this offseason has already begun vastly different than in years past.
It has been reported that Robert Kraft is more involved in the happenings of the offseason, including the search for an offensive coordinator. With that in mind, It wouldn’t seem out of line to believe he would like to see a trade for a top-name receiver, especially given his reported unhappiness with missing the postseason once again.
This may be the year we see Belichick make the move many have been hoping to see for quite some time, and there are four potential WR candidates he could be interested in acquiring.
Receivers the Patriots should consider trading for this offseason
DeAndre Hopkins
AGE: 30
CONTRACT: Signed through 2024
2022 STATS: Nine games – 64 receptions, 717 yards, three touchdowns, 11.2 YPC
CAP SPACE IMPLICATIONS FOR 2023: Base salary – $19,450,000 | Cap hit – $30,750,000
The most discussed option for the Patriots to trade for this year began when New England visited the Cardinals in week 14. A video of Bill Belichick sharing praise with DeAndre Hopkins pre-game circulated online, sparking the interest of the accomplished receiver winding up with the team for next season.
Although the interaction was nothing new for Belichick, looking into the details of Hopkins’ contract made the idea far more intriguing, mainly due to how plausible it could be.
Like the situation Hopkins found himself in with the Texans, the receiver has already earned all his guaranteed money from his contract with Arizona. Because of the team’s uncertainty going forward, as they deal with hiring a new head coach and GM and the absence of their starting quarterback due to injury, Hopkins may be looking to start fresh somewhere else.
If that’s the case, there’s no reason for Belichick not to kick the tires again on a potential trade.
The Texans sent Arizona both a 2020 second-round and 2021 fourth-round draft picks, along with running back David Johnson, to get Hopkins off the books. A similar deal would be possible if the Patriots want to acquire an easy WR1.
Additionally, the Cardinals have 31 players set to hit the free agent market on March 15th, which could result in the decision to trade Hopkins for the cap space increase.
Note: Hopkins does have a no-trade clause, so he would have to agree to be traded to New England.
Cardinals’ details for trading Hopkins this offseason after 6/1:
2023 Dead Cap: $11,300,000
2024 Dead Cap: $11,300,000
2023 Cap savings if Hopkins is traded: $19,450,000
Cap space available for 2023: $15,724,338
Receivers the Patriots should consider trading for this offseason
Jerry Jeudy
AGE: 23
CONTRACT: Fourth-year of rookie deal
2022 STATS: 15 games – 67 receptions, 972 yards, six touchdowns, 14.5 YPC
CAP SPACE IMPLICATIONS FOR 2023: Base salary – $2,681,769 | Cap hit – $4,834,128
If Hopkins isn’t an option due to the contract or his age, Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy is an excellent option. Not only is he just 23 years old and going into his fourth season, but Jeudy also has an established relationship with Patriots’ quarterback Mac Jones.
The pair attended the University of Alabama and were roommates when Jones was a freshman. During the 2019 season, when the quarterback was a red-shirted sophomore, Alabama’s starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went down with a season-ending injury, making Jones the quarterback for the final four games. It may have been just four games, but that chemistry is not easily replicated in the NFL and could be a massive help for Jones as he will be overcoming more changes in his third pro season.
For the Broncos, however, they don’t necessarily have much reason to move on from a productive receiver still on a rookie contract. Although that may be an immediate obstacle for any team inquiring about a trade, it was reported Denver entertained a few teams during the 2022 season about trading Jeudy before the trade deadline. A deal was not reached, but it plays into the Patriots’ favor knowing the Broncos were open to the conversation.
Denver also has Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick on the books for next season, both set to make significantly more than Jeudy is. However, they would also increase the amount of cap space available much more if traded after June 1st than Jeudy.
Note: The Broncos have until May 1st to decide if they will pick up the former first-round pick’s 5th-year option for the 2024 season.
Broncos’ details for trading Jeudy this offseason after 6/1:
2023 Dead Cap: $2,152,359
2024 Dead Cap: $0
2023 Cap savings if Jeudy is traded: $2,681,769
Cap space available for 2023: $9,406,724
Receivers the Patriots should consider trading for this offseason
Tee Higgins
AGE: 24
CONTRACT: Fourth year of rookie deal
2022 STATS: 16 games – 74 receptions, 1,209 yards, seven touchdowns, 13.9 YPC
CAP SPACE IMPLICATIONS FOR 2023: Base salary – $1,794,562 | Cap hit – $2,763,978
Another young player making an impact in the league is Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins. At just 24 years old, he accomplished a second straight season of over 1,000 yards receiving, showing he could quickly become the Patriots’ WR1 for years to come if acquired.
As the Bengals currently stand, they have significant cap space to spend this offseason, projected to be over $43 million. But quarterback Joe Burrow will be entering the fourth year of his contract in 2023, and it’s assumed the Bengals will be extending him while also determining an extension for their WR1 in Ja’Marr Chase.
This leaves the door open for them to move on from Higgins for the right price.
It would likely cost the Patriots a first-round pick, similar to the A.J. Brown trade to the Eagles, which Belichick is not known for doing. But because Higgins is a young and impressive player, and the Patriots’ offense needs a big boost, the head coach may strongly consider making the trade.
Bengals’ details for trading Higgins this offseason before or after 6/1:
2023 Dead Cap: $969,416
2024 Dead Cap: $0
2023 Cap savings if Higgins is traded: $1,794,562
Cap space available for 2023: $43,919,058
Receivers the Patriots should consider trading for this offseason
DeVonta Smith
AGE: 24
CONTRACT: Third year of rookie deal
2022 STATS: 17 games – 95 receptions, 1,196 yards, seven touchdowns, 12.6 YPC
CAP SPACE IMPLICATIONS FOR 2023: Base salary – $940,000 | Cap hit – $5,493,107
The Eagles are another team who have hit the receiver jackpot recently, with DeVonta Smith having back-to-back breakout seasons and making the blockbuster trade for A.J. Brown last year. Because Philadelphia traded for and then extended Brown through the 2027 season, Smith’s status as the clear number one took a backseat, making a potential trade for him not an impossible scenario.
Drafted in the first round just two years, Smith will be entering his third season in the NFL in 2023. Both Brown and Smith are clear WR1 for any team in the league, and because Brown is on the books for four more seasons, they may be inclined to move on from Smith sooner than later.
The Patriots should express interest in the receiver for several reasons. First, besides his age, production, and contract status appearing favorable in many ways, Smith also has experience working with Mac Jones. The two accomplished one of the best college football performances at Alabama in 2020; Smith totaled 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Jones tallied 311 completions for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Since their final season together, Smith has consistently spoken highly of Jones, even choosing him over fellow Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in a pre-draft interview in 2021. The endorsement and performance since joining the NFL should be enough reason for Belichick to contact the Eagles about Smith.
Although they may not be willing to part with an integral part of their offense, knowing an extension will be needed for quarterback Jalen Hurts sooner than later may change the Eagles’ mind.
Eagles’ details for trading Smith this offseason before or after 6/1:
2023 Dead Cap: $3,002,071
2024 Dead Cap: $3,002,071
2023 Cap savings if Smith is traded: $2,491,036
Cap space available for 2023: $10,204,438