The Patriots recent 28-22 home loss vs the LA Rams shows a perfect example of why the team needs talent on the roster.
The lack of talent has been a glaring issue for years. Dating back to the 2022 offseason, it’s been nothing short of disappointing that the Patriots have struggled to draft, sign, and develop players for the team.
In the past three drafts, they missed on WR Tyquan Thornton, a 2022 second round pick who was recently released just a day before yesterday’s loss. Their 2024 second round pick WR Ja’Lynn Polk hasn’t lived up to expectations, who already has dealt with injuries, costly drops, and penalties to start his rookie year. Not to mention Polk’s attitude and effort issues both on and off the field — according to reports.
In free agency, one could argue the team’s most significant WR signing was JuJu Smith-Schuster back in March of 2023, who only lasted a year before he himself was released this past August. The failed signings of WR’s DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley indicates that the organization isn’t ready to overextend themselves to bring in talented players that cost money.
At 3-8, fans are already looking into next offseason for bringing in talent on the offensive side of the ball they’ve desperately been waiting for. Drake Maye looks like the real deal, so why not provide him with better options to support his growth? Arguably the biggest free agent ticket next summer is WR Tee Higgins, who will likely have a lengthy list of teams ready to bid for him — including the Patriots. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, New England is expected to pursue Higgins next summer.
On paper, signing Higgins solves the team’s receiver issue in a positive way. When healthy he can be a clear No. 1 option. His best season came in 2021 where he had 74 catches, 1,091 yards, and six receiving touchdowns. To put that in perspective – the last time the Patriots had a 1,000 yard receiver on the season was set by Julian Edelman in 2019. Their closest mark since then is 866 yards set by Jakobi Meyers in 2021, who the team let go two seasons ago in order to bring in Smith-Schuster, who again – no longer plays for the team either.
Just because Tee Higgins is available next offseason does not necessarily mean the Patriots will pursue him. Higgins is playing on a franchise tag with the Cincinnati Bengals at the moment, despite requesting a trade this past March. He’s looking to get paid next summer, and there’s little evidence that supports the Patriots will keep one’s nose to the grindstone in signing him, let alone any seriously talented player that is expensive.
Even if the Patriots are invested in Higgins’ situation, it’s important to remember Higgins’ injury history. Since being drafted in 2020 he’s played in 73 of the possible 85 regular and postseason games. He hasn’t played a full NFL season since his rookie year and is often injured. Just in the past two years he’s missed a combined eight games.
The upside for Higgins is there, there is no denying that. Giving Drake Maye a weapon to further his development is crucial, and Higgins can certainly add to that. However, signing Higgins to the long term contract he’s seeking is a risky move. Signing him to a long term deal where he’ll likely miss two to three games a year is not ideal, especially when you consider the Patriots talent issues on offense. Figuratively they can’t afford to spend big money on a guy with a history of nagging injuries. It should be in the team’s best interest to spend their projected $130M of cap space elsewhere.
Other names in free agency next summer include Keenan Allen, Diontae Johnson, Stefon Diggs, and Chris Godwin, the two latter currently missing the remainder of their seasons due to injury. These names aren’t exactly eye-popping, which likely means it may be in the team’s best interest to find talent via trade. Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts comes to mind – since he is Maye’s former college teammate. For now, the development of Maye is the key to the remainder of the Patriots season.
Beer Garden Sports 