All you need to know about the 2024 Patriots wide receivers is wrapped up in a pair of stats. The New England wide receivers finished with 1,718 receiving yards as a group. Cincinnati receiver Ja'Marr Chase finished the regular season with a league-leading 1,708 yards.
No one is suggesting any of the Patriots' receivers were capable of popping off like Chase did this past season, especially with a new offensive coordinator and rookie quarterback. But the comparison underscores how disappointing the group was.
Consider only one New England receiver had a game where he topped 100 yards -- Kayshon Boutte, in the finale against Buffalo. In addition, rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, taken in the second and fourth rounds of the draft, were nonfactors for most of the season. Both sustained concussions, and Baker played just 90 offensive snaps.
The veteran free agent pickup thought to be a complementary piece, K.J. Osborn, was dealt before the end of the season. His time in New England ended with seven catches in seven games.
No wonder fans are clamoring for change.
With roughly $100 million in cap space and the fourth overall pick in the draft, New England would appear to be well-positioned to do something seismic, be it sign free agent Tee Higgins (who remains a candidate for the franchise tag with the Bengals), draft Heisman winner Travis Hunter, or even make a trade for the likes of D.K. Metcalf.
When it comes to the roster, Boutte and DeMario Douglas figure to be safe, while Kendrick Bourne's leadership skills also could ensure he lands a role. But youngsters Polk and Baker have to display a sense of urgency this spring, because regardless of whatever direction it heads, New England seems to be a safe bet to make some adds at receiver this offseason.
Currently on the roster: Douglas (66 catches, 621 yards, 3 TDs), Boutte (43 catches, 589 yards, 3 TDs), Bourne (28 catches, 305 yards, 1 TD), Polk (12 catches, 87 yards, 2 TDs), Baker (1 catch, 12 yards).
Provided he isn't hit with the franchise tag by the Bengals, Higgins is the best of the bunch. A 6-foot-4-inch, 219-pounder, he's proven himself to be among the league's elite when he's been healthy, having topped 900 receiving yards in four of his five seasons. There's good talent among the rest of the group, but Higgins is tops.
Tier One: Higgins (73 catches, 911 yards, 10 TDs in 2024), Chris Godwin (50 catches, 576 yards, 5 TDs), Amari Cooper (44 catches, 547 yards, 4 TDs), Keenan Allen (70 catches, 744 yards, 7 TDs), Stefon Diggs (47 catches, 496 yards, 3 TDs).
Tier Two: DeAndre Hopkins (56 catches, 610 yards, 5 TDs), Elijah Moore (61 catches, 538 yards, 1 TD), Marquise Brown (9 catches, 91 yards).
Hunter (96 catches, 1,258 yards, 15 receiving TDs for Colorado) is likely one of the biggest questions facing the Patriots at the top of the first round. The dynamic playmaker could be there at No. 4; do you take him, or look elsewhere for help? He's a wild card, because there's no sense as to how the two-way Heisman winner would react if he's asked to limit himself to one side of the ball in the NFL. Bottom line? The 6-foot-1-inch Hunter, who also had four interceptions last season, will be the most fascinating prospect during the pre-draft process.
Tet McMillan put up impressive numbers (84 catches, 1,319 yards, 8 TDs) for a wildly disappointing Arizona team; the 6-foot-5-inch, 210-pounder is a lean game-breaker who could be a mismatch nightmare in the NFL. McMillan would certainly fit the bill for a New England team that could use a big target.
As for the rest, Luther Burden III is a steady slot presence (192 catches in three seasons at Mizzou) who also has some special teams value, with a 10.5-yard average on punt returns. And in his best moments, Miami slot receiver Xavier Restrepo (154 catches the last two seasons with the Hurricanes) is able to channel Wes Welker.
Day One: Hunter, McMillan, Burden.
Day Two: Tre Harris (Ole Miss), Isaiah Bond (Texas), Matthew Golden (Texas), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State).