Poll: What are you willing to give up in a trade for a potential WR1?

[BennyBledsoe]

I much prefer a dominant TE. A guy you're never sure is going to throw a devastating block or run downfield. Think Coates or Gronk. Somebody that looks good in a #87

 

[mgteich]

I think that for us the label is misleading.

For me, the question is how much would we be willing to pay for a starting quality WR.

For me, this should NOT be viewed as replacement for Diggs or Hollins, but rather for a major additional option for Drake.

I would presume that the new WR would replace Pop. Of course, it is possible that we simply cut Chism.

 

[mgteich]

I much prefer a dominant TE. A guy you're never sure is going to throw a devastating block or run downfield. Think Coates or Gronk. Somebody that looks good in a #87

There are exactly ZERO tight ends in the league that are one of the best receiving and blocking TE's of all time, or close.

 

[Steve102]

Oh... another thing

 

[BennyBledsoe]

There are exactly ZERO tight ends in the league that are one of the best receiving and blocking TE's of all time, or close.

Almost as rare as this fabled WR1 that's worth blowing several draft picks on, I'd say.

 

[DaBruinz]

As a leading basher of The Cult, I feel I can answer this. They need an elite weapon somewhere. An elite weapon forces the defenses to plan specifically on how to stop that player, and raises up the remaining skill players opportunities. The argument with the cultists is whether or not an elite TE or RB is good enough (it is). You can try to build the team like the 2001-2004 Pats, but the NFL has changed, and it's more like the 2014-2018 version, where the Pats had Gronk, and where Jules became elite in the post season. I think they need that level of skill on the offense. I don't think think you need it to be at WR1.

They had Jules and Gronk. But also a good running game with various combinations along with White who helped in the receiving game.

Again, they had multiple weapons. Yes, they had an ELITE weapon in Gronk and at one point BOTH him and Edelman. But they had plenty of complimentary pieces as well.

I see the Pats developing that with Bouttes and Williams along with Stevenson and Henderson.

Solidifying the O-line will go a long way to ensuring that Maye has more than 1.75 seconds to throw the ball. A Solid O-line needs to give the QB at least 3 seconds. 5-6 seconds brings it into the ELITE category. I don't expect that. If they can improve the LG and C positions to give Maye that, then this offense will go father.

 

[Toofy]

Just a reminder that for about a dozen years, Brady had at least two players in the top 5 among downfield WRs, slot WRs, TEs, and pass-catching RBs.

Hone grown and on low cost deals.

Moss was low cost. Gronk was paid like tight end , edelman hone grown .

Where did we expend a trade for 2nd round pick and 15 million $ a year on wr. When we did that for sanu and brown the pats dynasty collapsed .

 

[Rob0729]

It depends on the WR. I would give up more for Brown than Moore or Metcalf. I would probably give up more than what I would give up for Brown for Brian Thomas (depending on whether they think last year was an aberration). My guess is what I would give up:

Thomas - the 31st pick
Brown - the Pats second rounder
Moore - a third
Metcalf - Maybe nothing. The more I know about him, the more I don't know if he is a scheme fit

I would also see what it would take to get Pickens. If the Cowboys are franchising him and cannot get close to a deal, they may want to trade him for value. I would consider the 31st pick and maybe a mid rounder to get it done.

 

[Rob0729]

Hone grown and on low cost deals.

Moss was low cost. Gronk was paid like tight end , edelman hone grown .

Where did we expend a trade for 2nd round pick and 15 million $ a year on wr. When we did that for sanu and brown the pats dynasty collapsed .

The Pats traded a second round pick for Welker which was a lot considering his production in Miami. Moss was paid very well in his second year with the team.

But $15 million a year for a WR is nothing now. That is like the 25th highest paid WR.

 

[Toofy]

I don't disagree with your philosophy, but are you saying the Eagles didn't trade for AJ Brown and then pair him with DeVonta Smith to put them over the top?

The eagles had a overload of talent at all possible positions . And their owner can spend a lot of cash . We can't and we have a QB who is elite . All we need to do is to find our own travis kelce , Chris Jones and tyreek hill.

We have Milton williams and gonzo and maye for now . Need to draft couple more difference makers before we start to shoot for the stars.

Last season was a tale of two halves . The post season whatever the reason is , showed downward slope for Maye , josh , oline and wide receivers . They need to show the upswing . That's why I treat this year as a rebuild year. No need to mortgage the future yet just because Maye is on rookie wage.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

As a leading basher of The Cult, I feel I can answer this. They need an elite weapon somewhere. An elite weapon forces the defenses to plan specifically on how to stop that player, and raises up the remaining skill players opportunities. The argument with the cultists is whether or not an elite TE or RB is good enough (it is). You can try to build the team like the 2001-2004 Pats, but the NFL has changed, and it's more like the 2014-2018 version, where the Pats had Gronk, and where Jules became elite in the post season. I think they need that level of skill on the offense. I don't think think you need it to be at WR1.

I actually wouldn't even go so far as to say you need an "elite" weapon anywhere. I think you just need to have some matchup advantages. That can be accomplished via a strong #1 threat who draws extra attention (simplest approach), but it can also happen via a well-rounded set of targets with varied route trees and guys lower in the pecking order (talking #3, #4, #5 options on a play) who are overqualified for those roles.

Where I think you get in trouble is when instead of a #1 you have a #2 type leading the way and then just a normal #2/#3/#4/#5 caliber option behind them. At that point you don't have anyone "overqualified" for their spot in the pecking order and no one above them is drawing extra attention to even the score. That's a simplistic view because route tree and alignment versatility also play into it but I think you get the idea.

I think it's better to have more balance as opposed to being top heavy, but whether it's through depth being overpowering or someone drawing extra attention you have to be creating matchup advantages somewhere.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Gotta love when you make s**t up. Not to mention YOU grossly misrepresenting the opinions of others. That's why there can never be intelligent discourse. Because you can't handle people not agreeing with your opinions you try to push as FACT. Like you did with Pierce.


The Pats were most successful, SB wise, when they spread the ball out and didn't have a true #1 receiver. When they could use anyone to beat you. When the Pats had Moss and Welker, they failed to win it all.

The problem with people like yourself is that you are unwilling to give young players a chance. If they don't produce to your expectations immediately, you think they're a waste and need to be replaced. What's interesting is that you seem to be one of the guys who ONLY box score watches and clamors for the "shiny new receivers".

No one is acting like having a WR1 is bad. That's YOU putting your issues onto others. People are saying that trading for one isn't needed. People are saying to let our players develop instead of putting unnecessary roadblocks in their way. You have Boutte who has continued to improve every year. You have Williams and Chism who are learning the pro game with Diggs and Hollins as mentors. This is a GOOD thing. Yet, the likes of you don't understand how badly the passing game was affected by the O-line play. Which is why those who do understand scowl at posts like yours. Because you aren't fixing or improving things. You're ignoring the problem for the shiny.

I do not present my opinions as fact. I have mentioned Pierce in many threads and discussed him with many posters, yet the only person who seems to have any issue is you. Because you have this idea that since you respond say you don't agree on that player I am supposed to reply and say "ok DaBruinz, you're right, I no longer want us to pursue him if he's a FA". You are the one who thinks you're opinion needs to be decided as fact and are not ok settling on a difference of opinion. I have stated many times the reasons I think he would be a fit (including the how our young players would have roles around him and how I believe he would compliment them). You say he reminds you of Donald Hayes so we shouldn't sign him. That's ok. You're not wrong nor are you right. We just have a difference of opinion on him. I am fine with that.

There are several times on here where others have changed my opinion. Lots of posters here routinely enlighten me and make me look at things differently. Part of why I like posting on forums. But sometimes I agree to disagree and just drop the conversation if we just have a difference of opinion. You are the one who seems ok with doing that. You feel the need to keep replying that Pierce = Donald Hayes until I agree with you and take your opinion as the deciding fact, instead of just being ok with having a different opinion on a player.

 

[imahobgoblin]

The eagles had a overload of talent at all possible positions . And their owner can spend a lot of cash . We can't and we have a QB who is elite . All we need to do is to find our own travis kelce , Chris Jones and tyreek hill.

We have Milton williams and gonzo and maye for now . Need to draft couple more difference makers before we start to shoot for the stars.

Last season was a tale of two halves . The post season whatever the reason is , showed downward slope for Maye , josh , oline and wide receivers . They need to show the upswing . That's why I treat this year as a rebuild year. No need to mortgage the future yet just because Maye is on rookie wage.

Lol, No! You don't get to rewrite history. The 2018 team fell apart. A.J. Brown was traded to the Eagles in April of 2022. The 2021 team was 9-8 and the the linebacker unit was considered one of the weakest in the league. Coming into 2021, there was significant criticism of the team's ability to draft impact players in previous years, which added pressure to the 2021 draft class. Hurts was really an unknown going into 2021. The 2020 defense was poor and young. They put it altogether after that and made their run in 2024.

 

[Boomer B]

Seattle said after the game the only player their D had to worry about was Maye. We need a talent upgrade at WR.

Diggs is good but nearing the end. He’s a number 2 and will need to be replaced within a year.

Boutte is what he is. A number 3 wideout. He’s hit a few deep but he’s not a high volume guy. He had 33 receptions last year and doesn’t get good separation.

We’ve all wanted Pop to be the next Edelman or Walker, but he’s mediocre at best. Another number 3 or 4.

I love what Hollins brought it the team in terms of leadership, but he’s old and a rotational guy now. Will need to be replaced within a year.

Williams and Chism haven’t shown yet that they can be counted on to every down guys.

So whether it’s by draft or by trade, or by both, we need to upgrade the WR spot by not only finding a number 1, but also looking at a number 2 in the next few years. The Pats talent needs to scare opposing teams. We got Maye, let’s give him some good weapons.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

I perhaps over-value picks. Agree with younger and cheaper. That said, if someone makes you an offer you can't refuse .... It just seems to me receiver isn't the position I do it for.

 

[dliverey44]

When people start saying they'd give up "nothing" or "zero" for a #1 WR and the cult of verticality stuff it's probably a sign that we can't have any intelligent discourse on the subject of WR acquisitions/improvement. I have not posted here long but I know during the Brady years the concept of if a WR1 was truly needed was a big sports radio talking point and it seems it's taken on sports talk radio caliber of discussion here. If anyone here ever suggests any improvement or acquisition at WR you get half the board screaming about how improving at WR is sacrilegious. I agree that fans who only box score watch and clamor for shiny new receivers can be annoying but we've really lost the plot when we act like WR1s are bad or that any marginal improvement at WR can never be a need.

I have a couple of reasons that I am in the not giving anything up to trade for a #1 WR. The biggest problem in my mind is that "#1 WR" is very rare, currently there are maybe 10-12 who are truly #1 stature. Not just the #1 on their team, so to get that kind of guy is going to be incredibly expensive and imo slows overall team improvement because of the draft capital you are giving up.

2nd problem for me is many of those guys are getting 150-190 targets a year and personally I do not want the offense to become the offense that we rely on one guy that heavily.

If a guy that you draft can become that guy, then awesome but it is a very daunting task to chase that and imo is not needed for this specific offense.

 

[TheRainMaker]

There are very few WR's I'd even consider trading for such as Chase, St. Brown and Jefferson. However, I prefer just to keep trying though the draft. It's a new regime and the Pats will hit on someone eventually.

 

[neuronet]

The problem in the SB wasn't the WR room. ffs people.

 

[mgteich]

The Pats traded a second round pick for Welker which was a lot considering his production in Miami. Moss was paid very well in his second year with the team.

But $15 million a year for a WR is nothing now. That is like the 25th highest paid WR.

yup

Wide Receiver Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap

Ranking the top NFL Wide Receiver contracts and salaries in the NFL

overthecap.com

 

[TheRainMaker]

When people start saying they'd give up "nothing" or "zero" for a #1 WR and the cult of verticality stuff it's probably a sign that we can't have any intelligent discourse on the subject of WR acquisitions/improvement. I have not posted here long but I know during the Brady years the concept of if a WR1 was truly needed was a big sports radio talking point and it seems it's taken on sports talk radio caliber of discussion here. If anyone here ever suggests any improvement or acquisition at WR you get half the board screaming about how improving at WR is sacrilegious. I agree that fans who only box score watch and clamor for shiny new receivers can be annoying but we've really lost the plot when we act like WR1s are bad or that any marginal improvement at WR can never be a need.

The bottom line is that the Pats have needed improvement at WR position since 2018, but the OL has now become the #1 priority. No WR would've been able to get open fast enough for Maye with how bad that line folded as soon as the ball was snapped.

The current group at WR are just okay, but they don't have consistent man beaters. Diggs flat out can't beat man anymore. Boutte is what he is. He'll give you a long circus catch, but then disappear. Kyle Williams will also tease you with his big play ability, but then later forget he's an NFL WR. We all expect for him to take a big 2nd year leap. Hollins does what he's supposed to by being ready as the last option and make chain moving grabs. Pats have to keep trying through the draft.