The New England Patriots took their quarterback of the future with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 draft in Drake Maye. The team then went on to select two receivers in the draft as well, but they will need a bit more if they want to put Maye in the best position to succeed.
After the botched Mac Jones experiment, the team knows that they need to put as much talent around Maye as possible. The team cannot fail another first round quarterback by not surrounding him with the right tools to succeed in the NFL.
New England Patriots Need To Go All In On Tee Higgins
The Patriots now sit with one of the worst receiving rooms in the NFL and while they have a good running back room with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, the team desperately needs a legitimate number 1 at receiver for Maye to succeed.
If the season started today, then perhaps both the rookie receivers the team drafted in Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker would probably be starting for the team. While they both could be spectacular, there is no reason to believe that they will suffice as enough support for a 21 year old rookie quarterback.
Those two rookies join a mediocre receiver room that features Kendrick Bourne, JuJu Smith-Schuster and K.J. Osborn. DeMario Douglas will also be in the mix after a very frisky rookie campaign, but again none of these guys are a legit number 1 especially for a young rookie quarterback. Bleacher report sees Higgins as the most probable trade scenario for both teams.
Tee Higgins Trade Proposal To New England Patriots
Bleacher Report’s Zach Bachar sees the Patriots as the most ideal fit for Higgins and the most ideal trade partner for the Cincinnati Bengals:
“While the Patriots drafted wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round,” Bachar writes. “As well as wideout Javon Baker in the fourth round, they don’t have an established receiver such as Higgins on the roster heading into the 2024 season.
“With Maye on a rookie contract, New England could continue to build around him by acquiring the Bengals’ standout receiver.”
Higgins is the Patriots most realistic option to support their new quarterback, and he would be an incredible option. We all know Higgins can be a bonified superstar in the league, he has just been behind one of the best receivers in the game in Ja’Maar Chase.
Bleacher report’s proposed trade would be:
New England Patriots receive: WR Tee Higgins
Cincinnati Bengals receive: 2025 second-round pick, 2025 fifth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick
It is clear that the Bengals cannot keep Higgins long term and if they were able to get a second rounder and more for Higgins who says no? The Bengals will not be able to pay Higgins and they need more draft picks so they can surround their quarterback with cheaper talent after Joe Burrow signed a massive extension last offseason.
The Patriots need Higgins after losing out on many of the other receiver free agents, and we will see if they can make the trade happen ahead of the 2024 season.