Before the 2025 offseason began, it was clear which positions the Patriots would need to focus on in free agency and the draft, one of which was wide receiver. Despite their attempt to improve the receiving corps for the 2024 season by double-dipping in the draft and signing veteran K.J. Osborn, the group never thrived and, more often than not, held rookie quarterback Drake Maye back on game day.
They have a good opportunity to change that this offseason with a league-high cap space and good positioning in the upcoming draft, which could also be used as trade compensation. That's why the few names that have already been put on the trade block are all the more intriguing, even more so since they are proven veterans who could easily make Maye the player he should've been last year.
Those names (so far) are Rams' Cooper Kupp and 49ers' Deebo Samuel, with Kupp being notified last week his team's intention to trade him. Samuel found out he'd have the same fate just hours before the Super Bowl, opening the door for the Patriots to bring in the player they should have drafted in the first place in 2019.
The 49ers have granted permission for Deebo Samuel to seek a trade, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 9, 2025
Samuel has spent six years in San Francisco, leading the team in receiving during his All-Pro season in 2021. pic.twitter.com/pUwDYTB1sW
Deebo Samuel could be the right receiver at the right time for the Patriots in 2025
With the news of Samuel being available, there's a good chance the Patriots will make the call about the trade price. He's a player who seemed all but certain he would be joining the team during the 2019 Draft, only for Bill Belichick to pass on him (and A.J. Brown) to take noteworthy bust N'Keal Harry instead.
Read More: Details about why Bill Belichick passed on AJ Brown and Deebo Samuel make it worse
He was selected by the 49ers later in the second round and went on to become one of the best receivers in the league since then, making it even worse that the Patriots passed on him. Samuel has been a consistent weapon no matter who the 49ers had in at quarterback and continues to prove that to this day.
He has had his fair share of injuries that certainly draw concern, similar to that of Kupp, but unlike the Rams WR, Samuel has played in 15 games in each of the last two seasons. He still recorded 111 receptions for 1,562 yards and 10 touchdowns during that time. That's far more production than what the Patriots have gotten out of their receivers in quite some time.
The 29-year-old would be exactly what the Patriots are looking for in that regard, but also as a trusted veteran who still thrives at his job and would immediately make Maye a better quarterback. Adding a veteran of Samuel's caliber is essential for the quarterback's growth and development, especially given the look of his current receiver room.
The price of the trade will ultimately play a role in whether the new regime in Foxboro is interested in completing a deal, however, even more so with a guy like Kupp available. There's probably a solid asking price for Samuel that makes sense for the 49ers and isn't too high for the Patriots, so it would be great if they could get a trade done.