Can Patriots Fix Problem with Trade for Bengals' WR?

Even after making moves in free agency, the prevailing opinion is the New England Patriots still need help at wide receiver.

The New England Patriots added to an offense that struggled last season, bringing back an experienced offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien for his second stint in Foxboro, then adding wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, tight end Mike Geisicki, and running back James Robinson, along with two offensive tackles. 

Wide receiver was a problem highlighted dating back to the last two seasons, as the Patriots lacked a true No. 1. After signing Smith-Schuster, have they found that top guy? 

Many would say no. Smith-Schuster will be a good addition to the passing game, but can he be the No. 1? Maybe, he showed the ability in 2018 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. 

But he hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since. This is why the Patriot faithful are still hopeful another move will be made, and Pro Football Focus believes they found the move that would fix the need in Foxboro. 

"I believe the Bengals when they say they have no intention of trading away Tee Higgins, but everybody has a price, and the Bengals have a lot of financial juggling to do over the next couple of seasons as they try to pay market-leading money to quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase, ..." PFF said. But...

"Either way, everybody has a price, and the Patriots would be wise to test their resolve with a trade offer that features the No. 14 pick of the draft," PFF continued. 

"Higgins showed last season he could be a true No. 1 receiver when Chase wasn't playing and caught 56.7% of his contested targets overall. Higgins is one of the few players who would immediately transform the outlook of this offense."

PFF's suggested trade of the No. 14 overall pick in exchange for Higgins makes sense for both sides. The Bengals would get a premium pick for parting with a valuable asset in Higgins, while the Patriots get that top wide receiver they have been lacking. 

But why would you want to give up a first-round pick when you can get DeAndre Hopkins for a second or a third-round pick? 

Well, at 24 years old, Tee Higgins is the much younger option, and while you'll have to pay him, presents a higher upside than the 31-year-old Hopkins. 

2022 marked the second-straight 1,000-yard receiving season for Higgins playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase. 

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