Top NFL trade candidate wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will probably intrigue a lot of interest this month. The NFL Draft is around the corner, and while the free agent market hasn’t been friendly to wideouts, it doesn’t mean teams won’t trade for a pass catcher. According to reports, Bourne was already a name on the trade block even before the New England Patriots decided to sign former Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. Meanwhile, the Patriots were desperate to find a consistent pass-catcher for quarterback Drake Maye, but Bourne’s future could be hanging on a thread.
Originally selected as an undrafted rookie in 2017, the former Eastern Washington product began his career with the San Francisco 49ers, becoming the fifth receiver on the depth, and didn’t make promising strides until the last season with them. Bourne became a promising free agent, so the Patriots took a chance on him finishing the first year with them, recording 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns. The wide receiver didn’t enjoy his time during the sophomore campaign as he was criticizing the organization for their decisions and play-calling, but he later suffered a season-ending injury the following season.
Since signing Mack Hollins earlier this offseason, the wide receiver room in New England is getting overcrowded. Bourne did sign an extension last year, but with a new regime under head coach Mike Vrabel, he might be open to trading the pass catcher to these two teams.
Saints, Chiefs May “Aggressively” Pursue Top NFL Trade Candidate Kendrick Bourne During Draft
More Help for Carr
Even though the New Orleans Saints are bringing back Brandin Cooks, the team still has one of the worst receiving groups in the league. Chris Olave is still their best wide receiver in this unit, but his future could be up in the air since many Saints fans are not happy that quarterback Derek Carr is returning. The wideout may have the same feelings who’s coming off a season-ending injury. Olave continues to be in several trade rumors, so the Saints may move on from him even though general manager Mickey Loomis won’t “completely” rebuild.
Rashid Shaheed is somewhat of a consistent playmaker, but he’s been battling injuries as well, so it’s a bit of head head-scratcher that Cooks is returning. He could be nothing more than nostalgia and may not exceed 1,000 yards this year. However, Bourne could change the game in this offense this offseason if the Saints pursue a new weapon to help improve the passing game for Carr. He won’t be the most exciting addition, but the team needs another consistent pass-catcher to move the chains.
The Chiefs’ Dilemma?
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs could be in a unique situation if Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice can’t stay out of trouble. These two weapons are athletes the Chiefs should keep an eye on and be ready to trade for another wideout if they lose one of them this upcoming season. Even though Kansas City is bringing back Marquise Brown, it’s only temporarily so he could finally win a Super Bowl.
It won’t be the first time the Chiefs sign a former Patriots wide receiver. Last season, the team signed Tyquan Thornton to the practice squad. However, since losing Justin Watson, the team could make up for it and sign Bourne to take his role.
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