The New England Patriots haven’t exactly achieved their goal of upgrading the weapons around quarterback Mac Jones on offense. They signed wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki in free agency, but they will be replacing players who departed.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers signed a free agent deal with the Las Vegas Raiders and tight end Jonnu Smith was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. While Smith-Schuster and Gesicki will certainly help the Patriots’ offense, no big changes have occurred, at least not yet.
Landing DeAndre Hopkins in free agency would have certainly qualified as a splashy move. But, the former All-Pro decided to take a deal with the Tennessee Titans instead, leaving the Patriots a little short at the wide receiver position.
As a result, the Patriots were one of the five teams that Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report named as ones that need to make a splashy move ahead training camp this year. The flashy move he suggested for New England to make? Acquiring wide receiver Courtland Sutton from the Denver Broncos.
“Moreover, the Patriots may have concerns about wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, who, according to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi, wasn’t 100 percent at mandatory minicamp because of a lingering knee injury from last season.
The Patriots could try to acquire a lead wide receiver in exchange for a second-round pick—a quality addition that would aid third-year quarterback Mac Jones’ development.”
As shared by Moton, via Mike Klis of 9News, the Broncos were reportedly seeking a second-round pick in exchange for Sutton earlier this offseason. While that could easily be seen as too steep of a price, after missing out on Hopkins, the Patriots may be more willing to meet that asking price.
Something will have to give eventually in Denver where talent is abundant at the wide receiver position. In addition to Sutton, the team still has Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick returning from injury. Marvin Mims Jr. was selected in the second round and Marquez Callaway was signed in free agency as well.
Given the potential log jam that exists, it would be smart for the Patriots to present a strong offer and see if the Broncos bite. While Sutton hasn’t been able to repeat his excellent sophomore season when he made the Pro Bowl with 72 receptions for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns, he would be a major upgrade for New England’s offense.
He could combine with Smith-Schuster to be Jones’ top two targets at wide receiver with DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne filling in behind them.
