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Ranking the free agent wide receivers for the 2023 offseason

By Lou Scataglia

Oct 9, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (69) congratulates wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on his touchdown by lifting him in the air during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (69) congratulates wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on his touchdown by lifting him in the air during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots may need to add some wide receivers in free agency, but which ones stand out as the best in the 2023 offseason?

Even if the Patriots were to trade for a big name wide receiver in free agency, they should still consider adding a player or two in free agency.  The team simply needs to get more dynamic at the position and it’s clear that the team cannot draft a quality receiver.

So, who are the best five wide receivers in the coming free agency period?

Ranking the free agent wide receivers for the 2023 offseason

5. Marvin Jones

Marvin Jones turns 33 soon but has been the epitome of productive during his long career.  In fact, Jones has had at least 500 receiving yards in his career in every season except his rookie campaign, and did add another 529 yards and three touchdowns in 2022 with the Jaguars.

He also has a 1,000 yard season to his name and could at the very least raise the floor of the WR room.

4. Allen Lazard

Allen Lazard has been with the Green Bay Packers for his entire career and has had a couple of nice seasons in a row, adding 788 yards and six touchdowns this year after a 513 yard and eight touchdowns season in 2021.

He’s also 6’5″, 225lbs and perhaps could be a true X receiver for the Patriots.  He may be worth a look.

3. DJ Chark

Finding quality, big bodied wide receivers in the NFL is hard to come by, and if it wasn’t for Chark struggling with injuries during his career, he’d be a household name.  He does have a 1,000 yard season to his credit and has 4.3 speed.

If Chark can simply stay healthy, which is much easier said then done, he could be a fantastic addition to the Patriots WR room.  They could cut DeVante Parker to make room for Chark, who is younger an faster and perhaps cheaper.

2. JuJu Smith-Schuster

Back in 2018, Smith-Schuster had 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns.  He’s also added seasons of 917, 552, 831, and 933 yards.  He’s not a true WR1, but there may not be a better WR2 in the NFL than the former Steeler and current Chief.

He’ll likely be looking for a multi-year deal and I think the Patriots could do worse than signing JuJu for three years, perhaps around $12-ish million a season.  He’ll get paid, and has proven to be reasonably productive.

1. Jakobi Meyers

Maybe I’m biased, but I think Jakobi Meyers is the best wide receiver in free agency this year and will get paid the most.  He’s had at least 729 yards in three straight seasons and has settled into the NFL as a low-end WR1 with back to back 800 yard campaigns.

No matter what direction the Patriots go with their wide receivers in free agency, retaining Meyers is a must, and it might be hard as well as I think that a bunch of teams will have interest.

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