Should Patriots Target Former Second-Round Wide Receiver After Recent Release?

The New England Patriots have cruised to a 10-2 record through their first 12 games, despite adding virtually no reinforcements throughout the season. Could that change after the Buffalo Bills’ latest roster move?

A couple of potential free agent targets emerged last week when both running back Dameon Pierce and wide receiver Brandin Cooks were released by their respective teams. Pierce ended up signing with the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, though, and Cooks found his way to the Bills.

In order to make room for Cooks, though, Buffalo had to release someone, as the team signed him to its active roster. The player who ended up getting cut was another wide receiver, Elijah Moore, after he failed to pan out with the team this year.

“After signing Brandin Cooks yesterday, the Bills have released WR Elijah Moore, who now heads to waivers,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network shared in a post on X.

A former second-round pick of the New York Jets, Moore has struggled to find his footing in the NFL early in his career. He has quite a bit of potential, but he caught just nine passes for 112 yards in nine games with the Bills this year.

Could he be a player New England ends up taking a flier on? While the wide receiver corps has been more productive than expected this year, it doesn’t exactly feature much top-end talent. Moore has been productive in the past, as he caught 59 passes for 640 yards and two scores back in 2023 with the Cleveland Browns.

At this stage of the game, though, it seems like the Patriots are content with what they have got. While they could make a move to address this position over the offseason, the team has a good thing going on offense, so why would they force changes when they don’t have to? Moore will be worth keeping tabs on, but it’d be a surprise if New England signs him.