The Patriots' offensive strategy for the wide receiver room has been thrown into disarray due to the Stefon Diggs situation. He's the best they've brought in, and now it's in question whether he'll even be around when the Pats take on the Raiders in September. This situation is a curveball Mike Vrabel didn't need.
If there's a trade to be made for a receiver, it makes perfect sense for the Patriots, whether Diggs is able to actually take the field later or not. A player with great NFL credibility may be available at that position of need. If so, the Pats should move aggressively to try to trade for Washington Commanders star receiver, Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin may be in a contract situation with his team. If he decides he wants out if his contract desires aren't met, the Patriots can benefit like no other team if they go all-out to sign the 2024 second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler.
Terry McLaurin is a star wideout and the Patriots should pounce if he's available
McLaurin has missed a practice session in OTAs, and rumors are swirling around the player. Last Word on Sports' Anthony Palacios had this to say about the situation, and whether the Commanders will be able to pay both rising quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and McLaurin.
"Originally selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the former Ohio State product has always been the WR1 for the Commanders, no matter the situation. However, the contract situation between him and the Commanders is coming at a worse time.
Daniels still has three more years on his rookie contract, and barring that, if he doesn’t have an unproductive season, it could be hard to put a huge price tag on two superstars. However, McLaurin did finish the season second in the league with 13 touchdown receptions, setting a new organization record. It shouldn’t be surprising if the All-Pro continues to hold out, and these three teams could take advantage."
One of the teams wasn't the Patriots, but they should be at the top of the list. A trade for McLaurin could help Mike Vrabel in several ways. First, depending on contract issues, he may be able to cut ties with Diggs and leave that situation behind him. Then, he could add McLaurin, a better player who'll immediately assume the No. 1 wide receiver role. It also sets a firm stance on discipline and doing the right thing in stone. No one is exempt.
Why a trade for McLaurin makes perfect sense for the Patriots
The Patriots haven't had a 1000-yard receiver since 2019 with Julian Edelman, and no one is close. McLaurin has gained over 1000 yards in the last five seasons and had 919 in his rookie season. He also had 13 TDs last season. The 29-year-old is an NFL star, and the Patriots and Drake Maye need one.
If this contract situation continues, Vrabel should move immediately to address a problem from Washington and possibly one of his own. The new Patriots Head Coach has several starting-level players who are eminently tradeable to add to draft picks. These include Mike Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, and Antonio Gibson, among others.
The thought is that next year's first-round pick and another pick or two, plus a player or two, is perfectly acceptable to make that happen. There is only one season, this one, 2025, and McLaurin gives the Patriots a solid chance, maybe their best chance, to make a run at the playoffs now.
Vrabel has cap space to allocate, and he couldn't spend it any better than on McLaurin, regardless of the outcome with Diggs. He's younger, healthier, and a better player than Diggs. If McLaurin does become available, the Patriots' only logical decision is to make the deal all-out. Vrabel will never look back.