Patriots Daily

Patriots Football Daily: Wide Receiver Options Dwindling

Published

3 months ago

March 4, 2024

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown pass as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) defends in the second half of a NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. Evans has resigned with the Buccaneers giving the New England Patriots one less wide receiver option in free agency (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Another wide receiver option for the New England Patriots is off the board. Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans will remain in his only NFL home instead of testing free agency. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Evans’ agents confirmed the two-year deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it is for $52 million with $35 million guaranteed.

With the Cincinnati Bengals placing a franchise tag on Tee Higgins, the top two free agent wide receivers are off the market before free agency opens. The top options heading to free agency now include Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts), Calvin Ridley (Jaguars), and Marquise Brown (Cardinals).

The Patriots will likely look to add to their wide receiver room either through free agency or the NFL Draft. It is a deep 2024 draft class, though New England also has other needs to address.

New England’s wide receiver room consists of DeMario Douglas, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, T.J. Luther, and Kawaan Baker. Kendrick Bourne is a Patriots’ free agent who could return to Foxboro as well.

NFL teams have until March 5 to put a franchise tag on players. The legal tampering period begins on March 11, with free agency officially starting at 4 PM ET on March 13. The NFL Draft begins on April 25.

Also in today’s Patriots Football Daily…

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – New England getting a QB in the NFL Draft would be dope

Patriots Football Now – Patriots retain ERFA Nathan Rourke

Roster Breakdown

Patriots Football Now – Bailey Zappe Fights for a job

Patriots Football Now – Jabrill Peppers, future team captain?

NFL Draft

Patriots Football Now – New England getting a QB in the NFL Draft would be dope

Patriots Football Now – NFL Draft Big Board: Top 100 Prospects (high school edition)

NFL News

NFL.com – Joe Burrow expected to be cleared in May

Pro Football Network – Sports world mourns the passing of Chris Mortensen

Yardbarker – Bills release veteran running back

ESPN – LT Tyron Smith unlikely to return to Cowboys

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Football Fun Fact of the Day

Former Dallas Cowboys RB Don Perkins would be 86 today (he passed away in 2022). When Perkins retired in 1968 he was the fifth leading rusher in NFL history with 6.217 yards. Perkins currently ranks No. 88 on the career list, 10 yards ahead of Dalvin Cook and 32 ahead of Christian McCaffrey.