Bedard: An early look at the options for Patriots at receiver in 2025

The Patriots are up to the 4th in the 2025 NFL Draft order as of today. Friend Aaron Schatz keeps boosting the Patriots' odds of getting the No. 1 pick due to their final five games (2nd-hardest schedule in the league):

Last week we looked at the options for the Patriots, in free agency and the draft, at left tackle. Now let's take a look at the available options via free agency, trade and the draft for their second-biggest need, receiver:

Are there going to be options in free agency?

It certainly won't be a question of assets. The Patriots lead the league with $118 million in effective cap space for 2025, followed by the Cardinals ($98 million), Raiders ($90 million) and Commanders ($80 million).

And there will be options available among the players, starting with a player who is about to break the bank:

FREE AGENTS

1. Tee Higgins, Bengals (26 years old)

His contract will likely surpass Justin Jefferson's top mark of $35 million APY and $110 million guaranteed (and then Ja'Marr Chase will break it). The Bengals can't afford Joe Burrow, Chase and Higgins so they'll let Higgins walk and get the comp pick. A smart move (and perhaps bad for the Patriots) would be for the Bengals to tag Higgins and then trade him. They don't have any other big free agents (Vonn Bell and Mike Hilton would be it). A smart team would tag and trade Higgins for more than a 2026 third-round comp pick, but will owner Mike Brown approve that expenditure ($26 million)? Doubtful. But Higgins is going to get way more than that once he lands with another team. Higgins isn't a burner (4.59 speed coming out) but he's 6-4 and has great body control in the air.

2. Amari Cooper, Bills (31)

Higgins ends the potential No. 1 free agents. The rest of these are injured/old receivers who could definitely help a young franchise quarterback. Cooper is a solid No. 2 but has had issues with drops this season.

3. Stefon Diggs, Texans (31)

Was there to aid Josh Allen as he ascended, could he do the same thing again? A lot of drama around this player as he seeks attention. Might be more trouble than he's worth. But I don't see the Patriots investing in older receivers. They want running mates with Maye.

4. Diontae Johnson, Ravens (29)

Was traded from Carolina to the Ravens and hasn't done much. Between the Steelers and Panthers, he hasn't played with many good QBs but always produced. But there's a reason why he'll be on his fourth team in the last three years. He's known to be a headache. Didn't realize until the other day that he's Pepper Johnson's son.

5. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (29)

Was headed for a big contract before a dislocated ankle wiped out his season. Still, would be a nice option down the line. He's pretty fond of the Bucs organization.

TRADES

Players headed into the final year of their deals and both sides might want to move on as the player tries to get another big deal.

1. DK Metcalf, Seahawks (28 in 2025)

One thing to remember about the Patriots as they fill out their roster is they'll be looking for things they don't have, and will try to avoid redundancy with the players they do. Like Higgins, the Patriots don't have a big and physical player like Metcalf (not many do). I do think it would work with Higgins and Metcalf, and I'd go after both of them.

2. Garrett Wilson, Jets (25)

Don't see the Jets letting the 10th overall pick in 2022 go anywhere — he's one of the few building blocks — but you never know with regime change and he might want to shoot his way out of New York.

3. George Pickens, Steelers (24)

Heading into final year of his deal with no fifth-year option as a second-round pick. I could definitely see him being a huge contract problem this offseason, but he is a huge headache and I don't think the Patriots would entertain it. 

4. Jameson Williams, Lions (24)

The 12th overall pick is also headed for a fifth-year option debate. If the Lions win it all, will they pick and choose who they want to keep? Speed to burn here.

5. Chris Olave, Saints (25)

New Orleans will have a new coach and more cap problems. Trading him doesn't help that, but could he want to move on given that QB situation?

6. Cortland Sutton, Broncos (30)

The guy I've wanted for a few years, and you see why this season. A really good No. 2 with some 1 potential but he's not getting any younger.

7. Drake London, Falcons (24)

Has been solid but hasn't lived up to being the 8th overall pick. Are the Falcons going to pick up his fifth-year option? Probably, but he might be available in a trade. Big, strong and fast.

8. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (29)

You know he'd be super reliable for Maye and the Patriots could rectify a Belichick error, but you're hoping Ja'Lynn Polk becomes a better version.

9. Romeo Doubs, Packers (25)

The Packers have a bunch of young receivers coming up in the next few years. Which ones are they going to hang on to? He's 6-2 with good speed.

10. Jauan Jennings, 49ers (28)

Criminally underrated for years. He's be a nice piece at 6-3 with some speed and clutch plays.

11. Christian Watson, Packers (26)

Freakish size (6-4) and speed (4.36). Injuries have always been an issue but if he can get past that, could be a big-time player. A lot of risk here.

12. Deebo Samuel, 49ers (29)

Interest in this player, to me, depends on who is running the Patriots' offense. I don't think Alex Van Pelt would know what to do with him, and he'd appeal to Shanahan disciples. But he's got a lot of miles, injuries and his attitude is questionable.

DRAFT

1. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado, Jr, 6001, 181, 4.52

The most dynamic player in this draft, but how will teams view him? Top-five at least.

2. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona, Jr, 6040, 210, 4.45

Total freak with great body movement. How fast will he run? Top 10.

3. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri, Jr, 5110, 208, 4.40

A thick, dynamic playmaker in the Deebo Samuel, Amon-Ra St. Brown mold. Top 10-ish.

4. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas, Jr, 5106, 182, 4.30

Inconsistent but has all the traits, including speed. Top 25

5. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State, Sr, 6006, 204, 4.50

Isn't a burner but a very consistent receiver and great route runner. Top 30

_______________________

Obviously lots of options for the Patriots, depending on how free agency goes. Would love to see them land Higgins and one of the trade prospects so they can take the heat off the draft and focus on developing Polk and Baker. Then attack receivers in the 2026 draft if need be.

NICKEL PACKAGE

1. I'm going to assume that the release of LG Michael Jordan, who had started 11 of 12 games, was about the Patriots focused on players being part of the puzzle next year. Jordan's been OK but doesn't have much upside. They must see some in Lester Cotton (Miami claim), Tyrese Robinson (Minnesota practice squad) and Lecitus Smith (Green Bay practice squad). Jordan is back on the practice squad so he could be elevated (update: he was elevated on Saturday night).

2. I officially have no clue how they're going to line up on the offensive line against the Colts, who have a really good defensive line that gets after it. My guess? LT Vederian Lowe, LG Layden Robinson, C Ben Brown, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Sidy Sow. But who knows? I'm mentally tired of this at this point ;)

3. Jerod Mayo is trying to balance winning and evaluation of young players.

“I would say, not to get too specific, but I will,” Mayo began. “You need a guy like Layden Robinson to show what he can do. We need a guy like Cole Strange before the end of the season to see what he can do. You can use Caedan [Wallace] in that same bucket. We need to see what the receivers can do and what they’re going to look like going forward.

“That’s the hard part for me. Look, you want to win right now, but at the same time, I think it would be a disservice to go to the end of the season and not know exactly what we have.”

I get it, but it does sound like some built-in excuse-making in case things very bad in the final five games.

4. It certainly wasn't a masterpiece at the end, but Antonio Pierce playing the Chiefs close twice (7 and 2 points) is more than Jerod Mayo has shown to this point in the division, and Pierce doesn't have Drake Maye. Both are former linebackers and rookie head coaches. Again, that's all anyone wanted to see from Mayo - be a pain in the ass, especially at the end of the season and in the division. 

5. BEDARD'S PICK

Season: 4-6-2 spread, 7-5 straight up.

Line: Colts -2.5, 44.5 o/u

I do not like this matchup for the Patriots. The Colts have a really good defensive line and are surprisingly sticky in coverage for a Gus Bradley defense. Anthony Richardson is extremely dangerous as a runner and throws the ball better than you think (just very inconsistent). He had 5 pass plays over 20 yards in a respectable 24-6 loss to the Lions last week, and Jared Goff had 2 (the Colts were very much in that game throughout and Dan Campbell commented on how much of a pain they were to play). Their designed run game from Shane Steichen (he got Jalen Hurts to play his very best) does it all and is a problem. Colts don't have WR Josh Downs this week, but Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman and Adonai Mitchell are all dangerous. But the Indy offense is a lot like the Patriots: lots of penalties and the line is an issue. They're down two starters and LT Quenton Nelson is no longer the great player he was.

If the Patriots win this game, it's because Drake Maye has his coming out party and he carries them against a very fast defense. I certainly don't rule that out. And the defense has to bottle up Richardson, and that could happen thanks to Joe Milton giving them a great look in practice this week.

If they lose, it's because Richardson goes off on the ground and in the air and Patriots fans will be asking why their QB isn't allowed to do those things. Colts have lost 4 of five, but those losses are to four playoff teams: Texans, Vikings, Bills and Lions. Patriots have lost 3 of 4 and not one was against teams currently in the playoffs.

Colts 27, Patriots 17.