Jerod Mayo says Patriots remain ‘open’ to adding wide receiver via trade

“One hundred percent. We’re still open on the trade market"

Tee Higgins could be an appealing trade target for the Patriots (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)

March 25, 2024

2 minutes to read

The Patriots’ plan of adding a top wide receiver threat this offseason has not exactly worked out.

After coming up short in the free agency sweepstakes for Calvin Ridley last week, New England’s lone addition to their receiving corps has been former Vikings pass-catcher K.J. Osborn.

Even with $100 million in available cap space at the start of free agency, New England has focused most of its efforts on retaining players like Hunter Henry, Mike Onwenu, and Kendrick Bourne.

Those re-signings and the addition of Osborn certainly help, but New England is still searching for its first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.

New England could decide to select arguably the most lauded wide-receiver prospect in recent memory in Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But with the Patriots still without a starting left tackle and quarterback of the future, using such a coveted draft selection on a wideout like Harrison may not be the best move.

But beyond the NFL Draft, the Patriots can still add more weapons on offense this season by utilizing the trade market — especially with some top pass-catchers like Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins reportedly dangled out on the open market.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL annual meeting in Orlando, Jerod Mayo acknowledged that the Patriots have remained active when it comes to finding potential trade suitors this spring.

“One hundred percent. We’re still open on the trade market,” Mayo said. “But I would also say this is a pretty deep class as far as receivers are concerned. So, it’s all on the table right now and hopefully, as we continue to get closer to the draft, Eliot (Wolf) is fielding calls, the scouts are fielding calls. As we get closer to the draft, it starts to be a clearer picture. That’s really the goal.”

Higgins fits the profile of a young wideout who could give New England its sought-after deep threat for the foreseeable future.

Cincinnati opted to use its franchise tag on Higgins earlier this month, tendering him a one-year offer of approximately $21.8 million. But the Bengals, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, have not engaged in new talks about a potential long-term extension with Higgins — prompting Higgins to reportedly request a trade as a result of those stalled contract discussions.

Higgins, 25, has averaged 921 yards and six touchdowns over his four-year NFL career. The 6-foot-4 receiver could give New England a much-needed deep threat, with Higgins posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023.

The Patriots already lost out on adding one No. 1 receiver via trade earlier this month when the Chargers dealt Keenan Allen to the Bears in exchange for Chicago’s 2024 fourth-round pick.

Even though New England has yet to swing a major deal this offseason, Mayo remained confident in his team’s ability to load up its depth chart between now and the start of training camp.

“I’m confident that, yeah we can absolutely fill those roles. In saying that, though, it’s going to take time. It’s going to take time,” Mayo said. “Look, our philosophy, as far as putting this roster together — look, you want to draft and develop. When it’s all said and done, you want to draft and develop. And I have 100% confidence in Eliot and his staff weaponizing the offense and really getting us better as an overall team.”