What do the Patriots think of their own receivers?
That question is central to the Patriots’ off-season plan. It will be answered through their actions on the roster. And it could answer questions about others on the team, too. Because new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien by himself won’t be enough to elevate the Patriots offense to a level on par with the top contenders in the AFC.
O’Brien should at least restore the Patriots’ offensive operation to competency, a passable and functional part of the team. But “competent” most certainly describes the operations of the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, who have now met in the AFC Championship Game two years in a row. Big difference in Kansas City: the quarterback is on another level. Big difference in Cincy: the quarterback is also on another level right now, and so are his weapons.
Do They Need ‘That Guy?’
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 29: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
That is, do the Patriots need to add that singular, game-changing pass-catcher that dictates coverage for the opposing team? There’s at least one person within the organization who believes so, based on a source going on the record with Giardi as saying: “We don’t have one player you gotta game plan for.”
The success of the Philadelphia Eagles after pairing quarterback Jalen Hurts with wide receiver A.J. Brown has shown the difference an elite guy can make these days. In the new modern NFL, star pass-catchers are like a cheat code. You can barely interfere with their ability to catch the ball as a defender. It’s more wide-open for these guys than it was even 10-15 years ago. Give the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase a free release and the threat of a flag for making too much contact down the field, and he becomes downright unfair.
It’s hard to believe that guy is already in-house for the Patriots. DeVante Parker seems to believe he’s that guy. As evidenced when he said “I am that guy” in an Instagram comment on a post wondering if he could be … that guy.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Tyquan Thornton #11 of the New England Patriots catches a pass for a touchdown against Noah Igbinoghene #9 of the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Free Agents
Oct 9, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
If the Patriots want to spend on a receiver off the open market, they might as well just pay Jakobi Meyers. He’s arguably the best available in a relatively thin free-agent class at the position, a logical follow-up to the massive player movement and big-money contracts flying around last year. Spotrac estimates Meyers’ annual value at $12.5 million.
That’s actually middle-of-the-road money for a wide receiver in 2023, and a fair value for the Patriots to place on Meyers, their best and most productive receiver in 2022. He may lack the explosiveness and big-play ability to be a true No. 1 guy, but he’s as reliable as they come as a third-down possession receiver, certainly within the Pats’ system.
Even if the Patriots decide to pay up in order to keep Meyers – and that may be difficult, since Meyers may be the most attractive free-agent option across the league – if they want a true bona fide No. 1, they have to keep looking. If they let Meyers walk, their best free-agent options would be the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, D.J. Chark, and Marvin Jones. All of whom could be fine signings, but not the kind that instantly transforms the offense.
Trade Market
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass against Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The most likely avenue for the Patriots to acquire a legit No. 1 receiver is via trade. And it wouldn’t be unprecedented for them to swing a deal for a high-end talent, as evidenced by the 2017 season, when they traded a first-round pick to the Saints for Brandin Cooks.
What makes that trade unique, though, is that Cooks was still on his rookie contract and the Patriots ended up trading him away for another first-round pick in 2018. He played one season in New England for $1.5 million. Maybe this time, if they land the new Cooks, they give him a fresh contract, like the Dolphins did with Tyreek Hill or the Raiders did with Davante Adams or the Eagles did with A.J. Brown.
Would the Broncos be interested in a deal for Jerry Jeudy? He was a former teammate of Mac Jones at Alabama, which only makes him more attractive to the Patriots. But it’s unclear whether the Broncos would even consider moving on from Jeudy, who managed a career-high 67 catches, 972 yards, and six touchdowns in 2022, despite the Broncos generally being a disaster.
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 14: Tim Patrick #81 of the Denver Broncos, Jerry Jeudy #10 and Courtland Sutton #14 take to the field before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Empower Field At Mile High on November 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Do-Nothings
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots and Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots celebrate after Parker’s touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
As alluded to before, if the Patriots stand pat and roll with who they have at receiver, that’s putting a ton of faith in the likes of Thornton, Parker, and Bourne. It’s also putting a lot of faith in Mac Jones to make it all work, and in the offensive line to have a major rebound season in 2023.
The current Patriots receiving corps could be enough for a guy like Patrick Mahomes. Joe Burrow could probably make it work. And it’s a misconception that Tom Brady won without that guy, because he had him, he just happened to play tight end. Is Jones close to those guys? He certainly hasn’t been in terms of production, and questions remain about how much Jones will be able to cover up whatever flaws they have on the roster. Ideally, the Patriots minimize their flaws and field a more complete team in 2023, and get Jones some help, definitely in terms of pass protection.
But in terms of pass-catching? Even the Chiefs and Bengals continue to stack talented receivers on their depth charts, despite having elite franchise quarterbacks. So say Mac Jones takes a meteoric leap in 2023 and suddenly he’s right there with Mahomes and Burrow. We could still come out of the season wondering if he could use more weapons, after the Pats can’t contain Chase or Stefon Diggs or even Travis Kelce in the playoffs.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 01: Wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills catches a first half touchdown pass in front of cornerback Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
