Breer: Tee Higgins among Patriots’ potential wide receiver targets Originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots may have their next franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. Now, they should look to surround their third overall draft pick with playmakers.
A potential player for their wide receiver corps currently plays for their Week 1 opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals. Tee Higgins is playing with the franchise tag and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season.
Sunday Patriots Live GameAlbert Breer of The MMQB named the 25-year-old as a player New England could target.
“Tee Higgins is either going to be a free agent or they’re going to tag him with the intent to trade him after the year. Either way, Tee Higgins is going to be available,” Breer said. “I think he’s someone you can definitely take a look at.”
Higgins, who is Inactive for Week 1 against New England Due to a hamstring injury, he is coming off a year off with the Bengals. However, in 2022, he caught 74 passes for 1,029 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns.
Breer acknowledged that Higgins’ star teammate, Ja’Marr Chase, will likely resolve his contract situation and stay in Cincinnati. While Chase is probably not a realistic option for the Patriots, other intriguing wide receivers could soon become available in a trade.
“I think what we want to do is look at guys who are entering their fourth year when they’re first eligible for contracts, so we’re looking at that 2022 draft class for potential trade targets,” Breer added.
“Players like Chris Olave, the Jets would never trade Garrett Wilson, but if there were issues, he would be one of them. Jameson Williams, who’s had some ups and downs so far with the Lions. Drake London with the Falcons. Christian Watson with the Packers, he’s entering a contract year.”
If New England can’t find a deal for one of those talented receivers, it could look to the free agent market for a proven veteran. This would be the least attractive route, as most of the receivers set to become free agents are reaching an older age.
As Breer notes, that likely played a role in New England’s aggressive pursuit of San Francisco 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The Patriots The 26-year-old was reportedly offered a three-year deal worth $90 million and a four-year contract that averaged $32.4 million per year.
“When you look at the free agent class, you see some of the older names,” Breer said. “Guys like Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Chris Godwin, Brandin Cooks, DeAndre Hopkins, Robert Woods. They’re all guys that are on the back end.”
“I think that’s why the Brandon Aiyuk situation was so attractive to the Patriots. You never know when a guy like him is going to be available. So even though it was a little bit before they planned to make a big push to get a player who could pair with Drake Maye long-term, they felt like they had to make a big push when possible. Maybe there will be another one of those in the next few years, but most of the players who would be available next year would either be traded or older.”
For now, the Patriots will rely on a young receiving corps that includes rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker along with second-year wide receiver DeMario Douglas and 2022 second-round draft pick Tyquan Thornton. Maye will begin the season as the backup to veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
