Patriots eyeing trade to upgrade at wide receiver

The New England Patriots feel confident they have their quarterback with Mac Jones, now they are rumored to be ready to aggressively upgrade at receiver.

In something akin to diverting from the norm, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots were extremely aggressive last offseason, particularly in regards to retooling their offense. That was obviously punctuated by using the team’s first-round pick on Alabama quarterback Mac Jones but they first spent big on free agents such as Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

Now, the organization is apparently still looking to upgrade the offensive arsenal. Specifically, the Patriots could be aiming to move on from Agholor by making a trade for another wide receiver, one familiar with the AFC East.

According to Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal, New England is interested in potentially making a trade with the Carolina Panthers for former Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson this offseason.

Patriots rumors: Trade for Robby Anderson in view

Anderson was a player who the Jets were waiting on a breakout season from throughout his four years in New York but that hope never became a true reality. Upon signing with the Panthers, though, the speedy wideout finally enjoyed his breakthrough campaign as he put up 95 receptions for 1,096 yards in the 2020 season.

With a change at quarterback in Carolina, though, Anderson’s production dipped. The 28-year-old, however, still offers a deep threat that the Patriots were hoping Agholor could be.

And for what it’s worth, the speculation around New England trading for Anderson indicates they would then move on from Agholor, potentially sending him back to the Raiders, the team he broke out with in the 2020 campaign as well.

As of right now, the Patriots’ top priority appears to be setting up their young quarterback, Jones, for success moving forward. Putting Anderson in the room with Bourne and Jakobi Meyers in addition to the tight end group would certainly be an upgrade to help accomplish that.