Three wide receivers the Patriots can trade for in 2023
The New England Patriots need to make a big move at wide receiver this offseason. Could they try to trade for one of these three players? Considering the team has not had much luck drafting the position, they may as well try a trade, right?
They did that last offseason with DeVante Parker, and I suppose the returns weren’t great, but they weren’t awful, either.
They also still have Kendrick Bourne under contract for another year, who appears to be a solid #2 or high-end #3.
Jakobi Meyers is a free agent and should be re-signed. So, the Patriots could go into the 2023 season with Meyers, Bourne, Parker, and Tyquan Thornton as the top guys, but while each player is or could be solid, there is no difference maker in this unit.
So, could the Patriots trade for one of these three wide receivers in 2023?
Three wide receivers the Patriots can trade for in 2023
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Brandin Cooks was once a Patriot back in 2017 and put up over 1,000 yards for them. He’s been with the Saints, Patriots, Rams, and Texans, and it looks like the soon to be 10th year receiver will be on yet another team in 2023.
It’s baffling to me as Cooks has been nothing but consistent his entire career, as evidenced by his six 1,000 yard seasons in the nine years he’s been in the NFL.
He isn’t a big bodied target, but has proven to be a WR1 and could really give the offense a nice boost.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are going to be millions OVER the 2023 cap number, so they will have to rework some veteran contracts and even part with some veteran players to get under, and the long-time Buc may be on his way out.
Mike Evans has over 10,000 receiving yards in nine years played in the NFL, and he’s had at least 1,000 yards in each year of his career. He’s ever so quietly built a Hall of Fame career, and I do not think he’s gotten nearly the attention he deserves.
He’s a 6’5″ target who excels at just about everything a receiver should excel at.
Just think about how lethal the Patriots’ WR room could be with Evans, Bourne, Parker, and hopefully a re-signed Jakobi Meyers.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
There may be a chance that the Bengals could actually trade Tee Higgins. The third year receiver is coming off of back to back 1,000 yard seasons and is due for a massive extension this offseason.
He’s been a bit overshadowed by Ja’Marr Chase, who is the clear WR1, but Higgins is one of the 10-15 most talented wide receivers in the NFL.
The Bengals do have a ton of cap space and should do whatever it takes to re-sign the Clemson product, but I guess if the two sides are too far apart, the Patriots could come swooping in and make a trade.
This would be the best long-term play for them, as Higgins is still in his early 20s and is right at the beginning of his prime.