Patriots Staying 'Aggressive' in WR Search; Broncos Courtland Sutton Available?

The New England Patriots have actively pursued free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in recent weeks, but is there an alternative if he goes elsewhere?

All recent reports suggest the New England Patriots are a favorite to land free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. 

Following a two-day free agency visit last week, all signs point towards Hopkins time in Foxborough as positive from both sides. 

However, the five-time Pro Bowler has signaled that he is in no rush to sign a contract with a new team - leaving the Patriots with a level of uncertainty. 

But if it misses out on Hopkins, one option for New England could be Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton. 

"If the Patriots strike out with Hopkins, who's a big-bodied 6-1, 211-pounder, they can turn their focus to Sutton, who's also a big pass-catching target at 6-4,, 216 pounds," Bleacher Report writes. "New England may be aggressive in search of a veteran wideout. According to NFL Network's Mike Giardi, JuJu Smith-Schuster is battling a lingering injury (knee) from the previous campaign.

"In the AFC East, the Patriots need to keep pace with two rivals that made the playoffs last season and the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets."

A one-time Pro Bowler over his five-year NFL tenure, Sutton has eclipsed at least 700 receiving yards in every season outside of his ACL tear shortened 2020 campaign. 

The Patriots were among potential suitors for Sutton's teammate Jerry Jeudy last month, but will a second-round NFL Draft pick be enough return for Denver this time around?

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