Monday signals the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period, a stage ripe with activity and opportunity as teams vie for the crème de la crème of free agents.
This year proves no exception. The New England Patriots, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, are all set to “swing big” with their eye on a valuable asset: Jaguars free agent receiver Calvin Ridley.
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: The #Patriots are expected to "swing big" on WR Calvin Ridley, per @JFowlerESPN https://t.co/aMrCkM2pqS pic.twitter.com/1vspvu58Zi
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 10, 2024
There’s no doubt that Ridley is the hot topic of this year’s free-agent cycle. Hailing from the Jacksonville Jaguars, his performance and potential are widening many eyes, with New England Patriots proving no exception.
With talent like Ridley potentially on the roster, the Patriots could “weaponize the offense,” as New England’s director of scouting, Eliot Wolf, succinctly put it during the NFL Combine.
Reports surfaced over the weekend that the Broncos had struck a deal with Cleveland, trading Jerry Jeudy for the Browns’ fifth and sixth round picks.
Fowler suggests the Patriots had shown keen interest in Jeudy as a possible roster addition but were too late in formalizing a deal.
NFL insider Josina Anderson confirmed Saturday that the Patriots are indeed on the hunt for a veteran wide receiver.
This revelation occurs in the wake of the Jerry Jeudy trade, affirming the team’s desire to bolster their receiving department with proven talent.
Other notable names in the market during free agency include Michael Pittman and Tee Higgins.
However, both were franchise tagged before their free agency opportunity emerged, reducing the pool of high-tier talent available for the Patriots and other teams.
