The New England Patriots have had plenty of activity this offseason and it’s made the winds of change blow harder than a nor'easter in Massachusetts. Jerod Mayo was fired after one season and replaced by Mike Vrabel and a nine-figure chunk of cap space was used to add several players in free agency including Milton Williams and Stefon Diggs.
With all of the players coming into New England, the moves have forced some players onto the roster bubble. This includes a playmaker who has spent the past four seasons with the Patriots and could see his time come to an end as the team prepares for the NFL Draft.
Kendrick Bourne is on Patriots’ Chopping Block Ahead of NFL Draft
Kendrick Bourne originally came to New England when he signed a three-year, $21 million contract in free agency in 2021 and was rewarded again with a three-year, $19.5 million deal to return last spring. But while Bourne’s bank account has resembled one of a consistent receiving threat, his production hasn’t matched his salary.
Bourne had a strong start with the Patriots, catching 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. But he’s failed to clear 500 yards in each of the past three seasons and caught just 28 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown last year.
A decline in production will put any player on notice but especially one that is in a suddenly crowded receiver room. After swinging and missing on Chris Godwin earlier in free agency, the Patriots pivoted to add Mack Hollins from the Buffalo Bills and signed Diggs to be their No. 1 receiver after one year with the Houston Texans.
Diggs’ recovery from a torn ACL could buy Bourne some time but the Patriots already have 10 receivers on the roster. New England also is loaded with nine picks in the upcoming draft and one of them could be used to add another pass-catcher.
At 30 years old with a $7.7 million cap hit and no guaranteed money remaining on his deal, the Patriots may decide it’s worth the $4.9 million in cap savings to move on and hope another player gives Drake Maye the target he needs in 2025.