The Patriots’ most pressing need now that the quarterback problem has been resolved is at wide receiver, where a plethora of ideas have been floated but none of them have materialized into a real deal. The Patriots passed on Keenan Allen, who was traded to the Bears for a fourth-round pick, and missed out on top target Calvin Ridley, who chose to sign with Tennessee.
In the NFL Draft, the Patriots will require some long-term solutions at wide receiver. However, in March, they will require at least one temporary solution, even if it is only to breathe fresh life into a receivers room that has become stagnant. With two seasons of 1,000 yards receiving, Mike Williams of the Chargers is one such player who might be worth a low-risk wager.
According to Bleacher Report, Williams would be a “best fit” for the Patriots despite the fact that he will be 30 years old and recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of three games the previous season.
“Mike Williams is the best wide receiver still available in free agency, despite his left ACL tear that he is now healing from. Due to a cap shortage, the Los Angeles Chargers released the veteran before his age-30 campaign, but the website stated that he still merits a sizable contract.
At a terrible time, Mike Williams tore his ACL.
If the financial investment is appropriate, there is some logic to the Patriots. They merely need a player who can make an impact this year and offer a dependable threat on the outside; they don’t need to add a long-term answer to their receiver issue.
Williams would undoubtedly be the best choice in New England if he wanted to start over in his career. The Cardinals and Colts are among teams who could be considered, as noted by B/R. The Patriots, however, have resources and chances.
The website stated, “The New England Patriots have a mountain of cap space and a thin receiving corps.”
In three games the previous year, Williams caught 19 receptions for 249 yards and a touchdown. Even though he had to leave the game in the third quarter due to an ACL tear, he still managed seven catches for 121 yards in Week 3. Williams has WR1 potential if healthy.
Williams was going into the second year of a $60 million, three-year contract extension that he had signed in 2022.
Patriots Getting Corps Stay Extremely Weak
Although Williams is not the best fit for a team that is developing, the Patriots have expressed their intention to return to contention in 2024 following a miserable 4-13 campaign in 2023. Williams signing a one-year contract would assist reorganize the receiving depth chart while also being minimal risk.
Right now, Kendrick Bourne leads the club in receiving; he belongs in a No. 2 or 3 role on a strong squad. Bourne recently suffered an ACL tear.
After being selected in the sixth round as a rookie last season, Demario Douglas showed great promise by leading the club in receiving yards with 49 receptions (561 yards).
Though veteran DeVante Parker is no longer with the team, bust free agency signing Juju Smith-Schuster and another bust, former second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, who has only managed 35 catches in 22 games over two forgettable seasons, are still on the roster.
Williams doesn’t quite fit in. However, given where the Patriots are at, the fact that he fits well should be sufficient.
