New England Patriots
Patriots urged to add 6-time Pro Bowler to bolster receiver room ahead of regular season
What a difference one year makes.
This time last year, the Patriots had arguably the worst wide receiver room in the league. DeMario Douglas ended 2024 as the team’s leading wide receiver with 66 catches for 621 yards and three touchdowns. Thus, the team made a concerted effort to improve the room this offseason, and they did so with a few savvy moves.
Stefon Diggs, who has been an elite receiver during his career, was brought in on a three-year deal to be the No. 1 target. Then, reliable veteran Mack Hollins was added, and Hollins is a reliable blocker and solid red zone target. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the team selected wide receiver Kyle Williams, who has already been impressing this summer.
The room is unquestionably deeper, but some more proven talent would always be nice. Luckily, there are some veteran options still available who could interest the team.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently identified the top remaining free agents, and for wide receiver Keenan Allen, Knox thinks the Patriots are a solid fit. Regarding that potential pairing, Knox offered the following:
Make no mistake, Allen can still be a solid contributor and an experienced leader in the right system. He’d be particularly valuable for another young, inexperienced signal-caller.
Allen would be a sensible target for the New England Patriots, who are looking to develop second-year quarterback Drake Maye and who lead the NFL in remaining camp space. The Patriots did sign Stefon Diggs to be their new WR1, but they could afford to double down on seasoned veteran receivers.
As Knox mentioned, Allen could be particulary valuable for a team like the Patriots who has a young, developing passer.
Allen spent the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears. The veteran caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, and proved he still has plenty left in the tank. Before 2024, Allen had spent his entire 11-year career with the Chargers. During that time, Allen earned six Pro Bowl selections and was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2017.
In New England, Allen would give Drake Maye another reliable target on the outside. A starting receiver trio of Diggs, Allen, and Williams would be a vast improvement over what the team has trotted out in prior seasons.
