5 Wide Receivers the New England Patriots Should Target in Free Agency

The New England Patriots have made it clear that they would like to improve the wide receiver position. This should be their short list of free agent candidates.

The New England Patriots showed interest in Brandon Marshall and attempted to trade for Brandin Cooks in the past week. Wide receiver is not a need for the Patriots, but they clearly feel that they can improve at the position.

The team may still be working on a deal for Cooks, but they should also explore the free agent pool for a new offensive weapon.

If the Patriots have a short list of free agent wideouts, these five players should be on it.

Alshon Jeffery

Alshon Jeffery is the best available free agent wide receiver. He’s looking for a big payday, and that may not be what the Patriots want. However, his talent cannot be overlooked.

The Titans and Eagles have been closely linked to Jeffery, and they may be willing to give him the cash he desires. The market for receivers has softened with the signings of Kenny Stills (Dolphins) and Brandon Marshall (Giants), and neither got an outrageous contract. Their signings may force the Jeffery camp to re-evaluate.

If Jeffery truly wants to win a championship, New England gives him the best opportunity.

Terrelle Pryor

Terrelle Pryor is a re-sign priority for the Cleveland Browns. Even so, he will hit the open market and the Patriots should at least take the time to meet with the WR.

Pryor worked out for the Patriots a few years ago, but nothing ever came of it. Pryor went to the Browns and has carved out a role as a solid wideout. Now, he’ll likely be looking for more money that New England is willing to shell out.

The former Raiders QB and Browns WR, at 27, should be seeking a winning culture. No organization wins more than the one in Foxboro, MA.

DeSean Jackson

While unlikely, DeSean Jackson could end up on the New England Patriots roster.

The Cowboys, Eagles and Buccaneers have all shown interest in Jackson as well, and they may be willing to give him a $10 million per year deal. He could choose to take a pay cut to come to New England, but that probably won’t happen.

Jackson had 56 catches for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns in 2016 for the Redskins, and he has big play ability. Imagine those Brady to Jackson long bombs!

Cordarrelle Patterson

Cordarrelle Patterson has not lived up to his potential. New England passed on the receiver in the 2013 NFL Draft, trading down and allowing Minnesota to select him. He is more valuable as a punt and kick returner, but at just 25, there is still time for Patterson to improve his NFL receiving skills.

Robert Woods

Robert Woods could be the next Chris Hogan for the Patriots. ESPN’s Patriots analyst Mike Reiss thinks Woods could wind up in Foxboro for 2017.

"In 2016, the Patriots signed Chris Hogan from Buffalo, and it soon became clear how catching passes from Tom Brady maximized the potential of a player who had been relegated to third on the Bills’ depth chart. The 6-foot, 190-pound Woods, who is one of the NFL’s better route-runners at the position, falls into the same category. If he was coming from an offense that featured better quarterback play, he’d be rated much higher."

Woods could thrive in a Patriots offense that is full of other weapons. Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen will draw attention along with the receiving corps. Oh, and Dion Lewis and James White out of the backfield are defensive nightmares as well.

Woods should be a 40-55 reception per year player, and that would be plenty to help this offense.

Robert Woods would be my #1 wide receiver target if I were running the New England Patriots this offseason.

Next: Blount Likely Lost to Free Agency

The Patriots will likely ease into free agency, as they always do. A receiver may or may not be added. Don’t be surprised though if one of these men ends up in a Patriots uniform.

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