Patriots Named Top Candidates To Trade For This Notable Receiver

Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte have emerged as top receivers for the New England Patriots, but more help is needed.

Mack Hollins is a solid depth option but has limited upside. DeMario Douglas occassionally pops but has been deemphasized in Josh McDaniels’ offense. Third-round rookie Kyle Williams remains an intriguing talent but posted just two catches for 20 yards in the first seven games.

Enter: Jakobi Meyers. Maybe.

The veteran receiver, who’s set to become a free agent next offseason, requested a trade last summer but didn’t persuade the Las Vegas Raiders. However, in a piece published Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Meyers could be dealt before the Nov. 4 trade deadline and identified the Patriots as potential suitors.

“Meyers wanted a new deal before the season and didn’t get one despite a trade request,” Fowler wrote. “He appears poised for 2026 free agency. He leads the Raiders in targets (42) despite missing Week 7, and he is drawing interest at an ideal time for a Raiders team in transition.

“But there’s no consensus leaguewide on exactly what the Raiders will do. Multiple execs told me they believe Las Vegas is open to a deal but is not actively shopping him. Another, however, believes the Raiders would prefer to wait until after the season to make any sweeping changes, due in part to the presence of Pete Carroll. The type of offers that roll in over the next two weeks could determine the course of action here.”

Fowler also named the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins as potential candidates for Meyers trade.

Pursuing a Meyers trade would make all the sense in the world for New England. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Meyers averaged 69.7 receptions and 799.7 yards per season from 2020 through 2022 while playing for the Patriots.

The North Carolina State product left the Patriots after the 2022 campaign to sign a three-year deal with the Raiders, who, at the time, were coached by McDaniels, who was Meyers’ offensive coordinator for three seasons in New England.

With McDaniels now back with the Patriots, it stands to reason he’d remain interested in coaching a player who posted career highs in catches (87) and yards (1,027) last season. Meyers would provide sophomore quarterback Drake Maye with another dependable, productive pass-catcher who could lighten the burden on Diggs.

With all that said, New England has greater needs ahead of the deadline — especially on defense.