Tee Higgins a patriot? Here are the top WRs to hit free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots appear to have found their next franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. Now they have to find their valuable third overall draft pick with the playmakers.
New England’s wide receiver room remains a huge weakness even after the position is settled in the 2024 draft. While second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker could still become impact players, their rookie campaigns left a lot to be desired.
The Patriots stayed quiet at the NFL trade deadline, so they will have to wait until the offseason to make the necessary improvements to their offense. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, they are expected to be active in the free agent market to find help for their promising young signal-caller.
“The Patriots are disappointed on offense and receiver play, but feel they have several players who will help things in 2025 and beyond,” Fowler wrote in his Week 12 column. …
“And Maye’s play energized the building. The Pats got into the most important position. Expect New England to operate freely in the pass-catching game again, and the offensive line will help maximize Maye’s impact.”
That’s an encouraging update, but are any looming free agents capable of becoming Maye’s No. 1 target in the coming years? Let’s take a look at the top wideouts set to hit the open market. . .
Tee Higgins
Age: 26
At just 26 years old, Higgins is arguably the most intriguing option on this roster for the Patriots rebuild. The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to let the Clemson product walk, opening up a great opportunity for him to become Maye’s new No. 1 target.
Higgins has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons, but when healthy he has been among the league’s most productive receivers. He has 295 catches for 4,173 yards and 28 touchdowns in 64 games over five seasons with Cincy.
With several teams sure to be looking for help at receiver, Higgins will be worth a pretty penny. Still, with such a glaring need at the position, there’s no reason why the Patriots shouldn’t be among the top bidders for his services.
Stefon Diggs
Age: 30
Diggs’ name jumps off the page because he’s been one of the NFL’s best players for nearly a decade. But the four-time Pro Bowler suffered a torn ACL in October, and by the time he turns 30, his best days are likely behind him.
The argument for signing Diggs? He had six straight seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards and was on track to eclipse that mark again with the Houston Texans before the injury. Since it has damaged goods, it should be priced lower than the other options on this list.
That said, Diggs’ age and injury make him an imperfect fit for team building around a rookie QB. Unfortunately for New England, most of the names on this list are either injury-prone or out.
Keenan Allen
Age: 33
The Chicago Bears added Allen and DJ Moore in hopes of reinvigorating their offense with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams throwing the ball to them. Those moves didn’t pay off as the group remains inactive heading into Week 12.
Allen has 30 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns in eight games this season. He had 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven TDs in 13 games last year with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Like Diggs, Allen is an elite talent with injury concerns. And as great as he was in 2023, it’s fair to say the six-time Pro Bowler is nearing the end of his NFL career.
Amari Cooper
Age: 31
When Cooper signs this coming offseason, it could be with his fourth team starting in 2021. The five-time Pro Bowler played for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills during that span.
Cooper was traded from Cleveland to Buffalo before this year’s deadline. Between the poor QB play and the injury, it’s been a rough season for the veteran. However, Cooper entered the campaign with at least 1,114 yards in four of the last five seasons. There’s plenty left in the tank, and he’d be a solid option for Maye to lean on in his first full season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback.
Chris Godwin
Age: 29
Godwin’s 2024 season ended early with a devastating ankle injury. Before he went down, he was on track for his fifth 1,000-yard season in the past six years. When healthy, he’s been one of the most consistent edge rushers in the game.
His injury shouldn’t deter teams from signing him. Godwin came back strong from an injury-ending 2021 ACL and MCL tear. He’ll only be 29 next season, making him one of the youngest wide receivers among the top options in this year’s class.
DeAndre Hopkins
Age: 33
Hopkins’ days as arguably the best wide receiver in football are over, but he’s still a rock-solid option as he approaches his mid-30s. The three-time All-Pro selection had a 1,057-yard, seven-touchdown season with the lowly Tennessee Titans in 2023. He hasn’t had the same success this year in 10 games with the Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, but that’s largely due to the poor QB play he had to endure in Tennessee.
The Patriots lost Hopkins in the 2022 offseason. Perhaps the opportunity to work with a promising young QB could entice him to sign next spring.
Diontae Johnson
Age: 29
Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers last season after five solid years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was traded again to the Baltimore Ravens before the deadline.
He led the Panthers with 30 catches, 357 yards and three TDs before being shipped to Baltimore, where he didn’t play a role in the team’s first three games. While Johnson would be an immediate fit with the Patriots, New England should probably aim higher if they want a good No. 1 option.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
Age: 28
Brown has yet to play for the Chiefs this season due to injury. He had 51 catches for 574 yards (career-low) and four touchdowns last season with the Arizona Cardinals. His best season was the 2021 campaign with the Ravens, when he had 91 receptions for 1,008 yards and six TDs.
While his injury is a concern, Brown’s speed makes him an interesting player to pair up with a strong-armed QB. He’s also likely to be one of the more affordable options on this list, though the Patriots shouldn’t be spending pennies trying to upgrade their offense.