10 Wide Receiver Trade Targets for the Patriots

As we approach the start of the 2023 league year, the Patriots are in the market to add at least a couple of wide receivers to the roster. Free agency will certainly be an option for Bill Belichick and the Patriots front office, but finding a trade partner makes sense as well. For the Patriots’ offense, it’s make-it-or-break-it time. With Bill O’Brien hired as offensive coordinator, the pressure is on Mac Jones to bring his game to the next level. He should and will do all that it takes, but the Patriots should also look to help him in any way they can. The current Patriots roster features five returning weapons, including Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Jonnu Smith, and DeVante Parker. Improving Mac’s weapons should be priority number one for the Patriots. Let’s look at some Patriots wide receiver trade targets.

1. DeAndre Hopkins

This is one of the most obvious targets for the Patriots this off-season. The love connection between Bill Belichick and DeAndre Hopkins is well-known. The biggest question is if Hopkins and new Patriots OC Bill O’Brien can make it work. They were together in Houston and things didn’t end on a high note, as O’Brien is the reason Hopkins is a Cardinal in the first place. Though if they can make it work, it’s a no-brainer target for the Patriots. Hopkins would immediately come in and be Mac’s go-to option.

“I’m glad we only have to play you every four years.”

The respect Bill Belichick has for @DeAndreHopkins ?#HardKnocks @AZCardinals — tonight 10pm ET on @HBOMax pic.twitter.com/ocdqJYsmXb

— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2022

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 2 years, $34.36 million

• Projected Trade: 2023 third-round pick (76) & Patriots 2024 fourth-round pick + a new 3-year, $66 million contract

Brandin Cooks is probably the most realistic option for New England among everyone on this list. Cooks not only spent a year in New England already, but he also spent multiple years with Bill O’Brien. Though he wouldn’t bring the elite top-end talent that Patriots fans are hoping for going into the offseason, he would be a consistent, quality option for Mac Jones. Plus, the Texans GM is former Patriots director of player personnel, Nick Caserio, so the connection will be there.

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 2 years, $35 million

• Projected Trade: Patriots 2024 third-round pick (Post June 1st trade)

3. Russell Gage

It was less than a year ago that Russell Gage signed with Tampa. Unfortunately for them, Brady has retired and the Buccaneers could be looking towards shedding salaries going into the 2023-2024 season. Gage has 2 years, $20 million dollars left on his contract, and could offer a cheaper option for the Patriots if pending free agent WR Jakobi Meyers walks out the door.

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 2 years, $20 million

• Projected Trade: 2023 sixth-round pick (184) & Patriots 2024 fifth-round pick

4. Tee Higgins

This would be the dream scenario for Patriots fans. There is speculation that the Bengals could look to trade Tee Higgins as he is due for a massive contract extension. Higgins would become the instant top receiver on the Patriots for years to come. The trade cost and new contract would be a massive commitment for the Patriots, but it’s a move worth considering if he’s actually available.

Burrow goes deep to Higgins! @Bengals take a 20-13 lead.

?: #CINvsTEN on CBS
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cGelCPQevg pic.twitter.com/IjoHltNZnG

— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 1 year, $3 million

• Projected Trade: 2023 first-round pick (14) & 2024 fourth-round pick + 4-year, $94 million extension

5. Curtis Samuel

The identity of the Commanders’ offense going into the offseason is unknown at the moment. What we do know though, is that WRs Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson will be back and leading the WR room. Curtis Samuel has one year remaining on the 3-year, $34.5 million dollar contract he signed with Washington. With the emergence of Dotson, the Commanders could look to get a return while they still can. Samuel offers versatility for an offense and could help Mac Jones in a variety of ways. Though he would not be a solution to the Patriots’ talent woes at WR, he is a no-brainer target.

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 1 year, $10.6 million

• Projected Trade: Patriots 2023 Compensatory fourth-round pick (projected 134) + 2-year, $24 million extension

6. Jerry Jeudy

Rumors have been swirling that Jerry Jeudy could be traded for a while now. With the Broncos giving up major assets for both Russell Wilson and Sean Payton, they could look to recoup picks by trading Jeudy. Jeudy has two more years of team control from his rookie contract, including a fifth-year option. Despite the fact that he has had a shaky start to his career, the talent is very much there. The Patriots should be all in on acquiring Jeudy if he becomes available.

I’d love to see the #Patriots get in on WR Jerry Jeudy if the #Broncos want to recoup picks from the Wilson and Payton trades.

Jeudy (6’1” 193 lbs) can be used both in the slot and on the outside. He was available at last year’s trade deadline. pic.twitter.com/5HX2HT3Dta

— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) February 16, 2023

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 1 year, $2.7 million + 5th-year option
• Projected Trade: 2023 third-round pick (76) & Patriots 2024 second-round pick for Jeudy and Broncos 2024 sixth-round pick

7. Tyler Lockett

Tyler Lockett likely isn’t the most appealing option for Patriots fans and it’s unknown if he will even be available. That being said, with the Seahawks in a retooling mode, moving on from an aging Lockett could make some sense. For the Patriots, Lockett would certainly be nothing more than a temporary fix. He’s not elite, but he’s been durable and reliable for the past five years, something that the Patriots could very much use.

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 3 years, $43.5 million

• Projected Trade: Patriots 2024 fourth-round pick & Patriots 2024 fifth-round pick for Lockett & Seahawks 2024 sixth-round pick (Post June 1st trade)

8. Braxton Berrios

Bringing back an old friend, Braxton Berrios could be a reasonable option for the Patriots this offseason. Berrios was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 Draft by the New England Patriots, where he spent his rookie season on IR. During training camp in 2019, Berrios was banged up and was one of the final cuts before week one. When the Jets claimed Berrios off waivers, Belichick called head coach Adam Gase to say they got a quality player. Since then, Berrios has found a home in New York. He wouldn’t be a solution in New England, but the Patriots need help in the slot, and bringing him back into the mix could make sense.

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 1 year, $5.5 million + possible extension.

• Projected Trade: 2023 sixth-round pick (192) + 2-year, $11 million extension for Berrios and Jets 2024 seventh-round pick.

9. Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk stands in a similar situation as Jerry Jeudy, as he enters the 2023 season with two years of team control including his fifth-year option. Aiyuk enjoyed the best season of his career for the 49ers this year and trading him would be a questionable decision. That being said, the 49ers need to dish out a massive contract to Nick Bosa soon and already have WR Deebo Samuel under contract for big money. It’s probably unlikely that Aiyuk will be traded, but if he happens to be available, the Patriots should be calling.

Brandon Aiyuk running a Stutter Go? pic.twitter.com/pf71UuIJjv

— Firstdown_X&Os (@FirstdownX__Os) February 15, 2023

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 1 year, $2.3 million + fifth-year option

• Projected Trade: 2023 third-round pick (76) & Patriots 2023 third-round pick

10. Mike Evans

We already spoke about Gage as a possible option, and Mike Evans could be another WR on the move from Tampa. With Tom Brady leaving, Tampa is left with big contracts and in an awkward spot. Though trading Evans would be a tough move considering he’s one of the most accomplished players in Buccaneers’ history, it might be the right move. Evans is entering the back end of his prime and is heading into the final year of his contract. That being said, he’s still very good and could offer a top-end wide receiver for the Patriots.

• Remaining contract for Patriots: 1 year, $14.5 million

• Projected trade: 2023 third-round pick (76) and Patriots 2024 third-round pick + new 3-year, $60 million extension for Mike Evans and Bucs 2024 fifth-round pick.

Among these options, Tee Higgins would certainly be the best player, but also one of the more unlikely trades. Players like Brandin Cooks and Braxton Berrios already have a connection to New England so they are certainly possibilities. When I consider everything, Jerry Jeudy makes the most sense to me. He is young, talented, and has two years of control left. One way or another, we’ll find out what the Patriots do over the next couple of months.

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