The Patriots were trounced, 47-17, in the Wild Card Round against the Bills and that game exposed several important areas that New England needs to address. This is part two of a four-part series centered on the four most important areas that the Patriots need to improve. Part two focuses on wide receiver.
The Patriots have struggled to upgrade the wide receiver position over the past several years despite some significant attempts to do so. In 2019, the used a first round pick on N’Keal Harry and in-season traded a second round pick for Mohamed Sanu. Neither move worked out; Sanu is long gone and Harry has been the biggest disappointment of an otherwise loaded receiver draft class. Jakobi Meyers emerged as a decent pass catching option in 2020 and expanded his role in 2021, but he is far from the high-level talent the Patriots need.
In 2021, the Patriots signed Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency. Bourne had a great season, catching 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns. Agholor, on the other hand, was the highest paid receiver on the team, but did not meet expectations. He rarely stood out and finished the season with 37 catches for 473 yards and three touchdowns.
As it stands, the Patriots two best options at receiver are Bourne and Meyers. Bourne has potential to be a really good player and Meyers has carved out a nice role for himself, but those two together are not enough. What New England needs most is a reliable target for Mac Jones in the slot and another receiver that can stretch the field horizontally.
For the slot, think a Julian Edelman type player. Jones needs someone that can constantly get open in the middle of the field and move the chains on 3rd down. For the “horizontal stretch”, think a player like Chris Hogan. Hogan could make big plays, but was especially good on the outside of the field in the 10-15 yard range. It would be great to have a deep threat, but right now New England doesn’t have anyone that truly forces defense to widen out, therefore allowing opponents to clog the middle of the field.
There is a significant amount of receiver talent in the upcoming draft and the Patriots will likely look there or potentially trade for a receiver to add to the group. Free agency is another option, especially for a number two option who would not be as costly.
The Patriots need to upgrade their passing attack around Mac Jones. The team addressed tight end and found a good one in Hunter Henry last offseason. Coupled with Bourne, it is a nice combination, but not enough to scare opposing defenses. Adding 1-2 more talented receivers should be the priority on offense this offseason.