Patriots agree to deal with free-agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne

Author Matt Dolloff

March 15th, 2021 7:25 PM

The Patriots have landed a wide receiver as part of an uncharacteristically aggressive start to free agency, agreeing to a deal with former 49ers wideout Kendrick Bourne. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was first to report that the Pats were working on signing Bourne, with Ian Rapoport confirming the agreement.

Bourne’s deal with the Patriots is for 3 years and up to $22.5 million. He joins fellow wideout Nelson Agholor and tight end Jonnu Smith as the third offensive skill player to land in New England on Monday.

In 15 games for the Niners in 2020, Bourne caught 49 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks below the top wide receivers available in terms of talent, but fits the Patriots’ profile for a complementary inside receiver. He notably had the third-best time in the three-cone drill, a Patriots favorite, at the 2017 NFL Combine. That’s indicative of how Bourne makes up for a lack of high-end speed with short-area quickness.

Scroll down for more potential free agents for the Patriots offense, including some that are more affordable after the Patriots’ spending spree on Monday.

• WR Marvin Jones

  Share

  Belichick has to love Jones' consistency. He's averaged 67 catches, 962 yards, and eight touchdowns per 16 games over the past six seasons. He's played at least 13 games five times since 2014. He's never mentioned among the league's best, most dependable receivers, but he gets the job done. Sounds like a Patriot.

• WR Keelan Cole

  Share

  Cole is an example of someone who, for whatever reason, has torn up the Patriots in joint practices and at times in real games. The Patriots like to bring those guys in sometimes. Cole would certainly give them an element of explosiveness that they relatively lack at receiver.

• WR Alex Erickson

  Share

  Erickson has been a guy to watch for the Patriots since Tom Brady still played here. He's the kind of quick, tough, versatile slot receiver Belichick tends to like. He'd have a great chance to make the team on an affordable contract.

• TE Hunter Henry

  Share

  Henry made recent comments that he wants to play for a great quarterback. Teams with their franchise QB locked in don't necessarily line up with Henry's price tag, though. Bill Belichick loves him some Hunter Henry and will likely make a legit push to sign him. But not only will he have to pay Henry at or around the top of the market, he may need to figure out the quarterback situation first.

• WR Corey Davis

  Share

  Davis would represent more of a Patriots-type signing. Belichick may look at Davis and see about the same player as Allen Robinson or Chris Godwin, but a guy he could get at a fraction of the price. It may help Davis that he has absolutely toasted the Patriots in the past.

• WR Kenny Golladay

  Share

  There's a chance that Golladay fetches an elite-level contract, which would likely price the Patriots out. But at the same time, Golladay has consistently had trouble staying on the field (he's averaged 11.8 games played per season). When he's on the field, he's one of the league's better big-play outside receiving threats. He'd be a good fit for what the Patriots like in an "X" receiver, but the question is the price.

• WR Curtis Samuel

  Share

  As far as a speedy, shifty and versatile wideout, Samuel is one of the more underrated commodities in football. He's coming off a 77-catch season for a rebuilding Panthers offense. The Patriots could offer him a competitive contract without breaking the bank, and Belichick would know what to do with a player like him.

• WR Breshad Perriman

  Share

  A former first-round pick who has bounced between four teams in his career, Perriman's stock couldn't be lower after his catches and yards dipped to 30-505 with only three touchdowns in 2020. He's the kind of receiver the Patriots would take a flyer on in free agency.

• TE Gerald Everett

  Share

  Everett's receiving numbers and blocking have both steadily improved over his first four years in the NFL. He still has untapped potential as a combo tight end and likely won't command an expensive contract. The Patriots could easily pay him well and can use a solid, established guy to group with Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene.

MORE: NFL Free Agency Tracker

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster 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? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

Get The 98.5 The Sports Hub Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with the latest Boston sports news and analysis, local events, exclusive contests, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Matt Dolloff

Category:

• Patriots
• Columns
• Matt Dolloff
• News

Tags:

2021 patriots offseason,Matt Dolloff,New England Patriots,NFL,nfl free agency