Though the NFL’s thirty-first-ranked offense clearly needs improvement, the New England Patriots do not have to fire every player.
The Patriots should retain wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in the lineup since their squad already lacks offensive weapons. The future free agent was on track for a career year before sustaining an Achilles tear in Week 8 that ended his season.
While on Injured Reserve, Bourne missed nine games, but he finished the 2024season with the second-most receiving yards (406) of any wide receiver in New England. In 7.5 games, he caught 37 passes for four touchdowns. In each of his eight games, he had multiple catches, and in consecutive weeks against Buffalo and Miami, he scored touchdowns. In 2023, the only tight end with more touchdown receptions than Bourne was Hunter Henry (6), who is also a free agency. In contrast, JuJu Smith-Schuster, who allegedly got a three-year contract worth $25.5 million last summer, only once found the end zone while totaling 260 yards in his Patriots debut. According to Spotrac, Bourne recently completed a three-year contract at a total of $15 million. Given his ACL tear, his price might stay fair. DeMario Douglas, a sixth-round rookie, showed promising skills, but the Patriots’ passing game need a receiver who can play in the 5-8 spot. The 28-year-old Bourne, who stands 6-1, has experience and stature that will only help the Patriots’ starting quarterback in 2024, whoever that may be.
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