Patriots reportedly almost traded for WR Randall Cobb last season
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Randall Cobb of the Green Bay Packers runs in for a touchdown after catching a pass from Aaron Rodgers during the fourth quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots have to be active at the wide receiver position this offseason. With NFL free agency on the horizon, they’ll have no shortage of options. Perhaps they make a trade.
They almost made one with the Green Bay Packers last season, according to prominent NFL insider Jay Glazer. In his new offseason mailbag for The Athletic, he says the Pats tried to trade for receiver Randall Cobb in their quest to add legit talent to their receiver corps.
The Patriots were trying to trade for a receiver last year, before the trade deadline and in the offseason. Actually, here’s a name that people don’t know about: they even called trying to trade for Randall Cobb at one point. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility to think that the Patriots will still be in the market for a top-flight receiver.
It’s unclear when the Patriots called the Packers. It could’ve been in the offseason, before they ultimately got Josh Gordon from the Browns as a kind of “last resort” move. It could’ve been at the deadline, when they realized Gordon might not last through the end of the season. Bill Belichick won’t need to call Green Bay this time, as Cobb is set to hit the open market when NFL free agency opens next Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m.
Cobb is among the best free-agent fits for the Patriots as a receiver who can play the “X” spot on the outside. Other notable options for perimeter wideouts include John Brown, Devin Funchess, and Michael Crabtree. The Patriots likely need to replace a trio of their own free agents set to hit the open market in Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson. Hogan and Dorsett reportedly have talked to the Patriots about a potential return.
It’s likely that the Patriots will check on Cobb once again now that he’ll be free to talk to anyone.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
