With free agency beginning next week, the New England Patriots will look to re-tool in hopes of making a fourth straight Super Bowl. With only Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson all set to hit free agency, and the question marks surrounding Josh Gordon, the only bonafide contributing wide receiver that’s set to return is Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman. So here are five receiver options in free agency that the Patriots should target, excluding their own impending free agents.
1. Golden Tate
No surprise here, as the Patriots attempted to acquire Tate from the Lions back before last season’s trade deadline. Tate will come at a hefty price, but the 31-year-old still has a few years left as a tough-as-nails receiver. Tate’s championship pedigree can be traced back to his time as a No. 1 receiver for Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks, when the franchise won Super Bowl XLVIII. Even after a subpar second half to his 2018 season, when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles, Tate scored the game-winning touchdown on fourth down in the team’s wild card in over the Bears in Chicago.
Tate can play in the slot, and as a ‘Z’-type, flanker receiver. His knack for picking up huge chunks of yardage after the catch (and after contact) make him an excellent fit in New England, but the Patriots will have to shell out some mid-to-high level cash for the free agent.
2. John Brown
Although the Patriots were able to transition to a smash-mouth running game to help win Super Bowl LIII, the team noticeably lacked a downfield threat when Gordon wasn’t on the field.
In 2017, Brady answered skeptics by shining as a deep ball thrower, mostly due to speedster Brandin Cooks, the team’s No. 1 receiver at the time. The only thing that held back Cooks in New England was his lack of yards-after-catch ability or ability to run shorter-developing routes, or quick-option routes, and ability to consistently catch in traffic.
John Brown is not only an above-average deep threat, with a body type likened to Cooks (5-foot-11, 178 pounds) and similar speed (4.34 40-yard dash), he’s also slightly more aggressive in reeling in balls in traffic, and slightly better on yards-after-catch opportunities.
Brown flashed in the Ravens first nine games, reveling in 601 receiving yards in the team’s first nine games, before Joe Flacco regressed and the team committed to rookie Lamar Jackson, who is a challenged passer.
But with the right quarterback, such as the greatest who ever lived, Brown may be an interesting option for the Patriots.
3. Cole Beasley
Here is our slot receiver omission for the group. Because of his age (30), Beasley should command slightly less money than 26-year-old Adam Humphries, who is primed to leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Because of that, Beasley may be a better option, to avoid spending a ton of cash and to rattle the dynamic/hierarchy that would come with paying Humphries significantly more money then Edelman, the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
As the Patriots often did in big games with Edelman and Amendola, having two smart, quick and experienced route-runners on the field in the same time could benefit Brady come crunch time. Adding Beasley would give the Patriots two good receivers in ’11’ personnel, but would leave them still needing a No. 1, ‘X’-type guy on the outside.
4. Devin Funchess
With Hogan and/or Dorsett slated to leave, the Patriots could use a receiver with outside-the-numbers capabilities.
Much like Brandon LaFell came over from the Carolina Panthers, Devin Funchess and his bigger frame (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) could fill the Patriots’ ‘X’-type receiver role on the outside.
While Funchess lacks speed (4.70 40-yard dash), he makes up for it with nimble route-running and strong hands, to add to his physical style of play.
If Rob Gronkowski returns, and the Patriots are able to add another quick receiver in, along with Funchess here, they could re-tool/retain a successful pass-catching core in a cheaper way than signing Tyrell Williams (who should command much more than Funchess) and Adam Humphries.
When the Patriots employ a vast offense equipped with other go-to guys (slot receiver, passing back, monster tight end), the No. 1 outside option can become a fourth receiving option of sorts, much like LaFell. Funchess can be just that to the Patriots.
