The NFL trade deadline is less than one week away, and the New England Patriots have been included in rumors with a pair of wideouts involved in speculation.
Patriots receivers Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor each have popped up in trade rumors recently, though interest in those two specific players dates back to the start of New England’s season. Bourne, as Patriots fans are well-aware, has seen a much more limited role this season with his snap counts proving the clearest example. Agholor also has a reduced role this season after the Patriots’ offseason trade for DeVante Parker, and it probably will continue to trend in that direction with rookie Tyquan Thornton getting up to speed after an early-season injury.
The 3-4 Patriots, despite an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football” and Bill Belichick-created quarterback controversy, still are in the mix for a postseason berth entering Week 8. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a major stunner to see New England ship off one (or both?) of those receivers given their lack of consistent production through seven games. And there are a handful of NFL teams who might jump at the opportunity to add a veteran wideout.
Here are five potential landing spots for Bourne, who is on a very affordable contract with term for the 2023 season, and/or Agholor, who carries a larger cap hit but is a free agent after this year.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have been one of the more disappointing teams in the NFL this season. But the reality is with Aaron Rodgers, they’re never out of contention, with the Pack still ranking in the top 10 in Super Bowl futures on DraftKings Sportsbook. Green Bay, though, needs serious help at receiver. The youth movement of Romeo Doubs and injury-plagued Christian Watson hasn’t worked out and now Rodgers’ trusted target Randall Cobb sidelined for at least a few weeks. Green Bay’s options at receiver don’t solely lie with the Patriots — Chase Claypool, Jerry Jeudy and veteran Brandin Cooks also have been included in rumors– but it’s certainly an area of need for Green Bay. Adding someone like Bourne, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, should be plug-and-play for coach Matt LaFleur.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are among those who should look to buy at the trade deadline. Dallas’ defense is one of the top units in the league, a true Super Bowl-contending defense, and quarterback Dak Prescott could use another weapon to complement CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. Noah Brown has flashed as a WR3 when targeted, but adding another pass-catcher — the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper this offseason, after all — could go a long way in keeping pace with the Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East. Dallas, viewed as a long shot to make the postseason after a Week 1 debacle, has the seventh-best prices to win the Super Bowl on DraftKings.
Las Vegas Raiders
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Raiders could be a potential trade partner for Bourne. The Patriots and Raiders have a number of connections with New England alumni Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, Las Vegas’ head coach and general manager, both at One Patriot Place when Bourne was signed as a free agent before the 2021 season. Davante Adams is a clear WR1 in Vegas, but Hunter Renfrow now is on the injury report after an underwhelming start. Bourne put up career highs in yards (800), catches (55) and touchdowns (five) under McDaniels in 2021.
New York Giants
It’s rather remarkable how the Giants have performed this season despite the fact NFL fans probably couldn’t name one of their skill players outside of running back Saquon Barkley. Adding a wideout for Daniel Jones and the offense would greatly help New York’s passing game, which currently ranks third-worst in yards and fourth-worst in attempts. The Giants might be more likely to go with one of the Patriots wideouts as opposed to Claypool or Jeudy given it shouldn’t require them to part with their high-end draft capital as a new coach and general manager continue to reset the organization.
Tennessee Titans
Mike Vrabel, despite speculation Tennessee could fall off this season, has the Titans trending back toward playoff contention as the current betting favorite to win the mediocre AFC South. And after trading away A.J. Brown for a first-rounder that became Treylon Burks, the Arkansas product yet to live up to the hype, the Titans could use help at receiver. Their receiver depth chart is headlined by Robert Woods (20 receptions, 230 yards in six games) with Burks placed on injured reserve earlier this month. Either of the Patriots wideouts likely would become a starter for the Titans. Tennessee remains one or two tiers below AFC bullies like the Bills and Chiefs, but an addition at the position would help in a crowded division.
