The New England Patriots have a top ten offense in football for what feels like the first time in forever. The days of Cam Newton, Mac Jones, and Bailey Zappe are behind us, and with Drake Maye at the helm, it seems there's nothing the passing offense isn't capable of.
Stefon Diggs has been their high-volume weapon, while Kayshon Boutte has been the downfield threat the team's been missing for the past few years. Mack Hollins and Pop Douglas have also gotten involved.
While the receiving corps has performed, that's largely been because of Maye. Adding another top wideout is an excellent idea. Chris Olave and Jordan Addison are names that have been tossed around, but what if the Patriots could add a deep threat from within the division?
Pro Football Network suggests this is a real possibility, listing the Patriots among the teams that could go after the Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle. For a team on the rise like the Patriots are, adding more talent shouldn't be something they think twice about.
Jaylen Waddle would be an incredible addition for the Patriots
The Dolphins should be sellers at the deadline, but it's hard to imagine they actually will be. Both GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel are very much on the hot seat, and there's a chance neither makes it to the end of the year.
After their annihilation against the Dillon Gabriel-led Browns on Sunday, it's hard to imagine either feeling secure in their futures with the club. Given that, it seems unlikely they would trade stars for draft capital; they are likely never to have the chance to use themselves.
For the sake of argument, if Miami is to actually sell at the deadline, Waddle would be among their most valuable trade pieces. A down 2024 saw him dip under 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, but the former No. 6 overall pick has no shortage of gas left in the tank. PFN suggests it would only take a third- or fourth-round pick, and if that is the case, the Patriots should jump at the opportunity.
Waddle's cap hits are more than reasonable in 2025 and '26, but he's slated to account for upwards of $30 million in '27 and '28. Assuming Waddle returns to the production he had with competent QB play during the first three years of his career, that salary won't be an issue. Buying low on a 26-year-old star is an opportunity that Mike Vrabel and company should be ecstatic about.
A receiving corps of Jaylen Waddle and Kayshon Boutte on the outside with Stefon Diggs in the slot is nasty. Add in Mack Hollins, Pop Douglas, and the development of rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism, and the Patriots' receiving corps goes from the worst in 2024 to one of the best just a year later.
Should Waddle be available, the Patriots need to do everything in their power to add him to this offense.