Four Wide Receivers Patriots Should Target Before NFL Trade Deadline

Two rivals of the New England Patriots acquired impactful veteran receivers with the NFL trade deadline quickly approaching. It’s fair to think neither Davante Adams (Jets) nor Amari Cooper (Bills) would have made sense for the rebuilding Patriots because while those players would’ve caught a few balls from rookie Drake Maye the next few months, they’re not on the same long-term timeline.

Adams and Cooper each went for what’s likely a third-round pick. Is that a price too expensive for New England? Maybe for those two wideouts, but if the Patriots really want to improve the situation around Maye they might have to part with a valuable asset. After all, it’s no certainty a proven wideout will become available on the open market, and trading for one, at the very least, gives New England a leg up in the free-agent fight.

That’s why the Patriots, who also need to improve on the offensive line, shouldn’t slam the door shut on the trade market despite where they sit in 2024. But they should operate with both a short- and long-term mindset.

With that said, here are four wideouts who the Patriots could toe to line for ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline:

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Doubs was suspended by the Packers due to conduct detrimental to the team. He missed one game, and an ensuing viral video hinted there was trepidation between Green Bay head coach Matt Lafleur and Doubs. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler since reported things “appear to have settled” between the wideout and the organization, and Doubs scored a pair of touchdowns in his Week 6 return. However, the fact Doubs previously skipped practices because of his lack of opportunities hints the 24-year-old might not be thrilled with his situation. Doubs, on pace for a career year, is set to become a free agent following the 2025 season and Green Bay has an influx of young pass catchers with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, among others.

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins has been linked to New England consistently during the last few months. He is playing on the franchise tag and is scheduled to hit free agency in March. Who knows if Cincinnati will turn into a seller at the trade deadline? The Bengals, who started the season 0-3, have won two of their last three games with Joe Burrow looking better and the return of Higgins. The Bengals could opt to add rather than sell given their playoff aspirations. Their pre-deadline schedule is favorable, too, with the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. But the Bengals also could lose Higgins for nothing this offseason so perhaps they bite on a second or third-round pick for the 25-year-old receiver. While draft capital is important for the Patriots, so is Maye’s development and adding Higgins is a way to help the latter. Of course, this trade would come with a handshake agreement for a contract extension in March.

Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers
The 28-year-old Johnson is older than both Doubs and Higgins, who fit Maye’s timeline better. He also is scheduled to become a free agent in the offseason after playing on a two-year deal. A trade for Johnson, like Higgins, almost certainly would mean the Patriots see him in their long-term plans. Johnson, who has a respectable 29 catches for 340 yards in the 1-5 Panthers, also would not come with the same price tag in a trade.

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens and the Steelers both could benefit from a split. The 2022 second-round pick has high-end talent but has been criticized for his lack of effort and buy-in in recent weeks. It’s hard to imagine Pittsburgh will sign Pickens to a contract extension when he becomes eligible next year, and thus could part ways with the 23-year-old who tallied 1,140 yards in 17 games last season. The Patriots could bet on the Georgia product with their much better quarterback situation and have Pickens under team control for two seasons (fifth-year option).