Patriots News: Kyle Dugger, Rob Gronkowski, Drake Maye and DeVante Parker

Latest rumor suggests DeVante Parker could be on the trade block this offseason

Besides the hyper-focus on who the next quarterback will be, there has been a lot of debate about how the new Patriots staff will upgrade the receiving corps for the 2024 season.

It has been a position of weakness for a few years, and now that they have a hefty amount of cap space to spend, it seems like the time to sign or trade for some of the best talent.

Before that even happens, there is a chance for them to create even more cap room by moving on from some players who haven't become what they were initially brought in to be, like DeVante Parker. He is just one of five receivers signed through next year, joining just Kayshon Boutte (who may not be on the team much longer), Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton.

Outside of Douglas, it's not a very exciting or threatening group.

Because the position is said to be a priority in free agency and the draft for the Patriots, a new report from The Athletic suggests that Parker might become a trade option this year, even if they only receive a low draft pick in return.

If they want to move on from the 31-year-old, trading him after June 1 would be their best option. It would only add a little over $1.5 million in dead cap this year and in 2025 while clearing $4.9 million in savings for this offseason.

It could be the best-case scenario, as they hope to create a new team from top to bottom this year, and adding another draft pick, even if it is a late-rounder, would be a win/win.

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