6 Wide Receivers Patriots Must Target if They Miss on Calvin Ridley

The New England Patriots are attempting to sign stud wide receiver Calvin Ridley in free agency, but it seems the Florida native is favoring a return to Jacksonville instead.

The Pats must pivot quickly if they're to land one of top wideouts remaining on the market. And thankfully, there's quite a few veterans who'd be perfect backup plans.

1. Marquise Brown

Marquise Brown is now the marquee WR who's without a team following Ridley's deal, and he'd be a great consolation prize for New England.

Brown is an exciting playmaker with great speed who could help open up the Pats' offense. He has a strong recent résumé, with averages of 66.8 receptions, 765.0 yards and 5.3 touchdowns over the last four seasons. That includes a 90-catch, 1,000-yard showing in 2021 as Lamar Jackson's top WR target.

Hollywood never quite reached that height in Arizona, but he also had a couple minor injuries that sidelined him and dealt with quarterback health issues as well.

Brown is the clear best option to bring in for a team in desperate need of a top wide receiver. DeMario Douglas led this squad in receiving yards with just 561 this past season, and second-leading wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is coming off of a torn ACL.

This group craves someone who can step in and take charge. With four straight years of 100-plus targets across two different teams, it's obvious Brown is the perfect man left standing for the job.