The AFC East clearly belongs to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. With that being said, the New England Patriots should not be written off just yet. Let’s remember that this is a team that finished 10-7 this season while making the playoffs with a rookie quarterback. Not to mention in underwhelming receiving corps.
When Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne are leading the way on the outside, it is a problem for any team, let alone one with a first-year signal caller. Mac Jones came in and showed that he fit the system of Bill Belichick perfectly. That is why he was selected with the 15th overall pick in this past year’s draft. They seem to have their quarterback of the future and now it’s time to put some receivers around him.
At this point of his career, obviously, Jones is not like Tom Brady where he will make receivers better no matter who they are. The Patriots need to target some players that are proven or go get some prospects in the draft that could turn into stars.
There is no doubt that wide receiver should be the number one position for the Patriots this offseason. Here are three different options that the front office could target to improve the office next season.
3. Calvin Ridley
This is a top-heavy free agent class for wide receivers but the Patriots could look for a trade. Calvin Ridley is a name that has surfaced in recent weeks as the Atlanta Falcons look to make a move in his fifth year.
Ridley has emerged as one of the true No. 1 receivers in the league. He is a top-echelon guy and has proven it year in and year out. The question here is, can the Patriots put together a package to acquire Ridley? The answer is simple. Trading a day two draft pick makes more sense than acquiring a player in free agency.
No one would have to move some money around in this deal and they would do so by making some room on the roster. Nelson Agholor makes the most sense because of his current contract situation. Despite it only being a one year commitment, it is unlikely that a team will take on his contract. This means the Patriots could cut him and save a bit of money there.
Whatever can be done to acquire Ridley should be by Belichick and the front office.
2. Garrett Wilson
There are many receivers that have emerged as first round talents this season. When looking at the board, it is unknown who will go first but the patriots might have a chance at Garrett Wilson.
Drake London and Chris Olave could go in the top 15 leaving Wilson on the board. If this happens, the Patriots could end up with one of the two best receivers in college football from last season. Wilson, who was a lot of his teammate at Ohio State, showed that he is capable of separating from any corner in the country. His ball skills are incredible and rarely drops a pass in his catch radius.
At 6-feet tall, Wilson’s size concerns some but that should not be an issue when looking at his intangibles. Wilson has elite speed and is a strong route runner. He is not just a deep threat because of his separation. He is a receiver that can get free at all three levels and become a consistent target for Jones.
When looking at the age of both quarterback and receiver, the Patriots could have a strong duo for years to come. Adding Wilson in the draft gives them a player that could burst onto the scene similar to Justin Jefferson. The horrors of drafting N’Keal Harry in the first round might still be on the Patriots but Wilson is a different type of talent.
1. Chris Godwin
We have seen a trade option, a draft option, and now a free-agent target. Godwin will be up for grabs this offseason coming off a torn ACL. If New England is comfortable with his medical records, it is a no-brainer to go after him as a No. 1 receiver.
Godwin recorded 98 catches for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns this season. That is with the likes of Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski in the same offense. Godwin became a favorite for Brady down the stretch of the season and showed that he can be a top option within the offense. This was no one already and Godwin is set to make some money on the open market.
At this point, Agholor has a $14.9 million cap hit season. If they let him go, he carries $10 million in dead money but that would open up a roster spot. The patriots have a lot of their cap invested in tight ends. One of which failed to catch 30 passes in a season. Godwin would come in and be the immediate spark or offensively that New England is looking for.
This is the type of move that can improve the office right away. Godwin has experience in the postseason over the last two years and knows what it is like to be in a winning locker room. Playing with Brady and then going to play for Belichick has to be an easy transition and this is one that Godwin could make.
