The New England Patriots had one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the NFL in 2024. But to give Drake Maye as much help as possible, the wide receiver room has become crowded. With that crowded room, the Patriots will have to make some tough decisions.
In a mailbag from Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston, he predicts that the Patriots will cut three young wide receivers amid the team’s crowded room. The three players he names are Ja’Lynn Polk, Kayshon Boutte, and Javon Baker.
Perry writes, “I would consider Polk, Boutte, and Javon Baker squarely on the bubble based on the numbers and track records of other players already on the roster.”
The Patriots’ wide receiver room has nine players with a chance to make the roster. Stefon Diggs signed a three-year, $63 million contract, while Kyle Williams was selected with a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Mack Hollins signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million, while DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne are the other players most likely to make the roster.
With five wide receivers already being ‘locks’ to make the final 53-man roster, there isn’t much room left. Polk, Boutte, Baker, and undrafted free agent Efton Chism II are the most likely candidates to make the roster after the five locks.
While the Patriots could keep two of those four players on the bubble, it seems likely that the Patriots will move off multiple of those receivers. Boutte has drawn trade speculation, and the 2024 draft picks have significantly disappointed.
For the former second-rounder in Polk, the Atlanta Falcons could be a trade destination to pair him up with his college quarterback in Michael Penix. While Boutte could head to the Pittsburgh Steelers after they traded away George Pickens.
There will be teams with interest in the wide receivers on the cusp of the Patriots roster. While the Patriots won’t recoup the value spent on them, they could net a day-three pick or a pick-swap instead of losing them for nothing.
Perry’s prediction of Polk, Boutte, and Baker all being cut-candidates is warranted with how much improved the wide receiver room has underwent. This issue for the Patriots is a good problem to have, as just a year ago, the Patriots would’ve taken any help at the position they could get.