It’s starting to percolate for the New England Patriots ahead of the start of NFL free agency, especially when it comes to wide receiver rumors.

(UPDATE: The Patriots are in fact signing JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency. We’ll see if more moves are in store, perhaps a trade…)

A flurry of reports has flooded in about the Pats and receivers early Wednesday afternoon, and we’re starting to piece them together. It adds up to … well, nothing tangible just yet. But it certainly sounds like the Patriots are looking to add someone to their receiver group, whether it’s via free agency or trade.

• One thing all the reporters who spoke up can agree on is that the Patriots have been in contact with at least one top available receiver. The cascade of tweetin’ began with Doug Kyed, who said they’ve “been in close contact” with one of the top free agents. Pair that with a report by Andrew Callahan at the Boston Herald that the Patriots are “showing interest” in JuJu Smith-Schuster.

  The former Chiefs and Steelers receiver would make sense for the Patriots, because he’d slide right into a slot role currently without a clear option after the departure of Jakobi Meyers to the Raiders. But there’s the caveat that the Patriots need to get to the “finish line,” as Kyed described it. That is, pay him what it takes to sign him.

• 

  LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of the game at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

• The Patriots wide receiver rumors didn’t stop there, though. Mike Giardi of the NFL Network joined in, adding that the Patriots have also been in contact with Odell Beckham Jr., in addition to Smith-Schuster. The Patriots reportedly attended Beckham’s open workout for NFL teams last week.

  Giardi also mentioned the financial aspect, but had a balanced take on it: yes, the Patriots are going to have to pay up, but the contracts won’t necessarily be as exorbitant as it would with other top receivers. As the Meyers deal with the Raiders indicated, it looks like a lukewarm market for receivers this year.

• The #Patriots have remained engaged with several free agent wide receivers, including Odell Beckham and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Money will matter here. This isn't the old days. One positive on that front is the money has been less than expected for this position group so far.

  — Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 15, 2023

• Top Patriots insider Jeff Howe has added his own reporting to the mix. Howe has the Patriots in the running for trades. He reports that the Patriots have indeed called the Arizona Cardinals about DeAndre Hopkins and the Broncos about Jerry Jeudy.

  However, like it is with free agents, the “price point” is important here. Howe also reported that the asking price for Jeudy is “at least” a first-round pick. Jeudy is young and still has untapped upside after three seasons in a tough offensive situation in Denver, but he’d immediately become the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver on paper.

• 

  DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 08: Jerry Jeudy #10 of the Denver Broncos runs past Ja’Sir Taylor #36 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on January 08, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

• Despite all this, we’re only talking about “contact” and “interest.” In light of that and the caveats being thrown in about money and price tags, it’s advisable that Patriots fans wouldn’t hold their breath on the Pats actually getting ANY of the players mentioned above.

  But since there are now a bunch of reporters reporting things, if the Patriots don’t actually close the deal with ANYONE at receiver, it would be a disappointment – but a fairly familiar one for New England.

  That being said, if the Patriots don’t get Beckham, Smith-Schuster, Hopkins, or Jeudy, keep an eye on Parris Campbell, D.J. Chark, and Mecole Hardman in free agency.

• Sunday Football Show | Free Agency Preview

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• 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 @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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