The Patriots' wide receivers are headlined by new addition Stefon Diggs, but the team also has some reasonable depth behind him. Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte played significant roles last year, and the additions of Mack Hollins and rookie Kyle Williams are sure to bolster the group.
Further, Kendrick Bourne will be ready for his first full season after his 2023 ACL tear.
While the group has improved, that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities to add more contributors. One of such contributors could be former Bill and Jaguar Gabe Davis. NFL.com's Kevin Patra recently cited the Giants as a top landing spot for Davis, but there isn't much reason the Patriots shouldn't also be in the mix.
The Patriots would be wise to acquire Gabe Davis, even after a down season
There's no doubt Davis didn't mesh in Jacksonville. The former UCF Golden Knight finished the year with a mere 20 catches, but still managed 239 yards on his few receptions. Signed to a three-year deal worth $39 million last offseason, the thought is that he'd be a strong contributor, but he was overshadowed by rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and played just ten games due to a meniscus tear.
Disappointing? Yes. Defining? No.
In Davis's four seasons with the Bills, he was a productive deep threat. He's never been trusted as a high-volume receiver, but he's a more than capable complement, especially next to Diggs, with whom he worked in Buffalo. He had seven touchdowns in three of his four seasons in New York State, and 27 in four years.
Davis is a proven talent who shined in the playoffs
Davis is famed for his miraculous game against the Chiefs in January 2022, in which he caught eight balls for 201 yards and a playoff record four touchdowns. As a whole, he's been a strong playoff performer during his career: 67 yards a game. Vrabel and company no doubt have postseason aspirations, and having a player proven in that respect would be an asset.
Kayshon Boutte is the top deep threat as of now, and he had some nice moments last season. With rumors of a trade, though, perhaps Davis could be one to fill the role. The Patriots already have a few high-volume players in Diggs and Douglas, so a player who can take the top off the defense and win in the red zone would be a nice addition.
We'll have to see what the status of his knee is, but Davis has all the makings of a player the Patriots would want to acquire: cheap, experienced, and a deep threat. Assuming the Patriots are looking to win now, as has been indicated by their offseason, expect them to do their due diligence on the UCF product.