Will the Patriots’ most re-sign important receiver

admin | February 19, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The New England Patriots can help their primary quarterback by bringing free agency receiver Kendrick Bourne back into the fold next season.

There is a clear need for change in the NFL’s 30th-ranked offensive, but the New England Patriots do not have to fire everyone.

The Patriots would be wise to keep receiver Kendrick Bourne on board, especially given their current paucity of offensive weapons. Prior to suffering a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 8, the upcoming free agent was on track to have a career year.

Despite missing nine games while on injured reserve, Bourne finished 2024.

He finished the season with the second-highest number of receiving yards (406) among New England wide receivers. He had 37 receptions and four touchdowns in 7.5 games. He caught multiple passes in all eight games and scored in consecutive weeks against Buffalo and Miami.

Only tight end Hunter Henry (6), a free agent, had more touchdown receptions than Bourne in 2023. cc, JuJu Smith-Schuster, who allegedly received a three-year contract worth $25.5 million last summer, only hit the end zone once and gained 260 yards in his first season with the Patriots.

Bourne is coming off a three-year contract worth $15 million, according to Spotrac, and his price may remain low given the ACL tear. While sixth-round rookie DeMario Douglas demonstrated promising abilities, the Patriots’ passing offense need more than a 5-8 slot receiver. At 6-1, the 28-year-old Bourne combines size and experience, which will only aid the Patriots’ 2024 starting quarterback, whoever that is.

Although he never attained WR1 level, the dynamic Bourne was a consistent target with a 73.4 percent catch rate over three seasons. Ideally, Bourne can replicate his 2021 performance, when he achieved career highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (800). Both numbers were second on the team behind Jakobi Meyers, who has since left for the Las Vegas Raiders. Bourne averaged 11.4 yards per target in his first year as a Patriot.