Wide receiver continues to be a position of need for a Patriots organization that has struggled to draft and develop receivers for years. 

The receiver class in free agency is limited and a trade continues to be the best way to address the need. D.K Metcalf, who has been linked to the Patriots has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. New England could make a potential run at Brandon Aiyuk who appears to be available or they could pursue another receiver trade closer to the draft.

Either way, Mike Vrabel and Elliot Wolf have to address the position. Drake Maye needs a number one option in the passing game.

Here are ten potential receiver targets in free agency.

Top 10 receiver targets

Chris Godwin

Darius Slayton 

Amari Cooper

Mike Williams 

D.J Chark

Ashton Dulin

Elijah Moore 

Rondale Moore

Van Jefferson 

Josh Palmer 

Breakdown: Vrabel puts a lot of stock in character and culture so some of the veteran options in free agency would not be good fits. 

Godwin is high character and productive. He would be the team’s number one receiver. The only issue with him is health. Injuries have been an issue. He can play the X, Z or F in the Patriots system.

Slayton would be a good fit and you can argue his best football is ahead of him. He profiles more as an X or Z and has big play potential. He is not a number one receiver however and would be just another receiver in this group.

Cooper still has gas left in the tank but he is not the elite, top end number one receiver he was. He might be that in name only. Williams can still be a match up piece on the outside at X but his limited route tree and alignment versatility make him another two or three receiver in an offense.

Same goes for Chark who has bounced around and just cannot find a way to be consistent. Duhlin could be a productive fit in McDaniels system but he is unproven and operates mostly as an X. He can play the Z. Duhlin is a receiver to keep an eye as the second receiver signed. 

Elijah Moore and Rondale Moore could be good slot options in the Patriots revamped offense but they would have to compete with  Pop Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk for reps. Rondale adds return value which makes him a possible fit. 

Jefferson could be a veteran addition to the receiver room but it is hard to tell how much more he can produce. Palmer is intriguing. He is still young and he has flashed upside with the Chargers but again, he would be just another guy in a crowded receiver room.