New England Patriots: 5 Offseason moves to improve in 2021

New England Patriots offseason move No. 2: Trade for, draft and/or sign some wide receivers

Even when the legendary quarterback Tom Brady was leading the charge under center in New England, the Patriots have lacked talent in the passing game. Oftentimes Brady had been able to make the most out of the depleted receiving group, but without Brady this season, that area of the team was greatly exposed in 2020.

A group that was headlined by Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry and others coming into this year, the Patriots ended up featuring one of the worst passing and receiving games in the NFL.

New England tallied just 333 receptions in 16 games, which ranked tied for fourth-lowest in the league. It ended up recording a total of 3,722 receiving yards (sixth-worst in NFL) with 22 touchdowns (tied for third-lowest in NFL) through the air.

Part of the reason that unit took another step back in 2020 was the fact that Edelman, Harry and some other wideouts experiences some injury issues more often than not during the regular season. But the other part of those struggles were because just the pure lack of talent in that receiving room.

With that lack of firepower and talent in the passing game, New England needs to work on improving that group this offseason in whatever form or avenue. Although the Patriots might not go “big-game hunting” to get some of the top-tier free agent wideouts set to hit the free agent market, they could still go get one or even two second-tier receivers to bring into the offense in 2021.

If it doesn’t address that need via free agency, New England needs to then scan the trade market or draft a few wide receivers in the upcoming NFL Draft in order to up the talent level to help the passing game bounce back in the new year to counter the talented rushing attack.