Kendrick Bourne Trade? These Six Teams Should Consider Patriots Receiver

Week 7 was a tough week for wide receiver injuries, and it’s the perfect time for the Patriots to take calls from Super Bowl contenders.

New England fell to 1-6 after a disastrous London trip last Sunday. It might feel weird to trade away good players, but the Patriots are in a good position to land a top-three draft pick. Also, trading away veterans would open up playing time for younger players.

Kendrick Bourne fits that bill. The 29-year-old still has something left to give, and he looks healthy coming off an ACL injury from last season. It would behoove the Patriots to deal Bourne away to open up playing time for players like Ja’Lynn Polk, Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker. Here are six that should be making the call.

San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan’s side suffered horrible news to go along with losing its Super Bowl LVIII rematch. The 49ers lost Brandon Aiyuk for the season after the wideout suffered a torn MCL and ACL. Deebo Samuel was diagnosed with pneumonia, and George Kittle suffered a sprained foot injury. Christian McCaffrey might come back from an Achilles injury. But Brock Purdy might have to rely on Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall, who is expected to make his debut this Sunday after getting shot in the chest before the season. San Francisco needs help, and a reunion with Bourne could help. The Niners reportedly wanted him in the proposed Aiyuk trade with the Patriots, so the sides could work something out again.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin reportedly is expected to miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury, and Mike Evans reaggravated his hamstring injury in the team’s blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. Tampa Bay’s season seems over, but it is in a putrid NFC South, so an upgrade at wide receiver could help with a playoff push. The Bucs need a veteran better than Sterling Shepard to lead a young wideout group, and Bourne could be their guy.

Seattle Seahawks
DK Metcalf reportedly is week-to-week with an MCL sprain. With the 49ers’ and Los Angeles Rams’ injuries, the NFC West is up for grabs. Tyler Lockett is a reliable veteran, but he’s past his prime. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is talented, but he might not be ready to be the No. 1 guy. And other wideouts like Jake Bobo and Laviska Shenault Jr. merely are situational options. Bourne could return to the northwest and give Geno Smith another wide receiver option while Metcalf is out.

Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell side’s clearly is in Super Bowl-or-bust territory. It’s in their best interest to seek out the best options available. Jameson Williams reportedly faces a two-game suspension, and Detroit would not be a serious team rolling out Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson or Kalif Raymond as its No. 2 wide receiver. Bourne would do wonders in Ben Johnson’s offense and pairs nicely with Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Dallas Cowboys
Mike McCarthy might be coaching for his job, and Dak Prescott needs all the help he can get. These are the kinds of desperate teams the Patriots should poach off of, and given Jerry Jones’ recent track record as general manager, they could get a nice return for Bourne.

Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes can’t keep getting away with it, can they? Kansas City was still undefeated after Week 7 despite rolling out Skyy Moore as a serious option. The Chiefs lost JuJu Smith-Schuster to a hamstring injury last Sunday. They seemingly are willing to be patient with rookie Xavier Worthy and won’t hesitate to play four tight ends. But the Patriots should at least give them a call to gauge interest in Bourne. Mahomes is a miracle worker, but the Chiefs would be testing that if they don’t seek out a wide receiver upgrade.