The New England Patriots’ wide receiver room is a fascinating place these days.
It’s not a room lacking in numbers, but between youth, injuries, and inconsistency, it’s hard to know who to depend on. Accordingly, with the exception of new acquisition Stefon Diggs, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Patriots part ways with anyone.
With the arrivals of Diggs and Mack Hollins, coupled with the need to get youngsters like Ja’Lynn Polk more touches, one veteran could find himself without much opportunity for touches. That could open the door for the Patriots to make a trade.
Kendrick Bourne, 29, is entering the second year of a three-year, $19.5 million contract in New England. He saw limited touches in 2024, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get a change of scenery.
In a recent article, Pro Football Network’s Sterling Xie named Bourne as the Patriots’ most logical veteran trade candidate. Meanwhile, Xie named the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Rams as new team fits.
“One veteran who probably doesn’t fit with the rebuilding Patriots is Kendrick Bourne. Since his 55-catch, 800-yard season in 2021, Bourne has yet to hit 500 yards in a season, with a torn ACL from October 2023 hampering him each of the last two seasons,” Xie wrote.
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“The 49ers might need some early-season receiver depth depending on Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery timeline, and Bourne would serve as an insurance policy in case Ricky Pearsall isn’t ready for a larger role. In Minnesota and Los Angeles, Bourne could also provide competition to Jalen Nailor and Tutu Atwell, respectively, for the No. 3 receiver role.”
Would any of those teams take on Bourne’s $15.6 million cap number over the next two seasons? It’s not inconceivable, because the price for depth receivers was in a similar range this offseason, with Atwell signing a one-year $10 million deal earlier this offseason.
The Patriots would almost certainly be happy to get any takers.
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