Three Possible Trade Packages For Patriots' Kendrick Bourne

The New England Patriots have made it apparent that they want some better talent in the wide receiver room, and they have drafted and signed multiple players over the past few years to try to do that. This offseason, they signed Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins; in last year's draft, they drafted Jevon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk, and they drafted Romeo Douglas and Kayshon Boutte the year before.

With them bringing in young talent and some established veterans over the last few seasons, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne seems to be the odd man out. Bourne signed a three-year deal with the Patriots in 2021 and then signed a three-year extension in 2024. Bourne had a stellar first season with the Patriots and showed a lot of potential, but due to injuries and quarterback issues, he has struggled over the past few years.

Bourne is still 29 years old and can still contribute and help a team win, and a fresh start may help him get his rhythm back. With four receivers being drafted in the last two drafts along with two signed this free agency it is unlikely the Patriots continue to keep seven receivers. Their best option is to move him while he still has value and get the best return.

Bourne had 28 catches for 305 yards and a touchdown in 12 games last year. There are plenty of teams looking for a solid veteran receiver. Kendrick Bourne would be the perfect option for a contending team that needs some receiver help or a young team that needs a veteran leader. 

The first team that could be a good landing spot for Bourne is a team that the Patriots just recently made a trade with. The Dallas Cowboys, who the Patriots just traded quarterback Joe Milton to, could be a big suitor for Bourne. The Cowboys have superstar wide receiver Cedee Lamb, but after losing Brandin Cooks in the offseason to the New Orleans Saints, they are left with Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin as their other starters.

Lamb has been one of the most productive wide receivers over the past few years, and some people even consider him the best in the league. However, he has had little help in the receiving room and has been asked to carry the majority of the load. The most help he has had was an older Brandin Cooks, and now that he is gone, the Cowboys need to find some receiving help for Dak Prescott.

Tolbert had a good showing last year, but he is not a number two, and Turpin is supposed to be primarily a special-teams guy. They did trade for an unproven young wide receiver in Jonathan Mingo, but they need some established veteran help. Even if they draft a receiver, they could still use another vet.

This is where Bourne becomes the perfect option. The trade package would be either Bourne for Caelen Carson and a sixth-round pick or their earlier fifth-round pick straight up. Carson is a cornerback going into his second season with tons of potential from Wake Forest. The Patriots need cornerback depth, and they would not have to worry about that as much in the draft, and they could still draft one if they would like.

In six games, he had 27 tackles and four pass deflections in his rookie year for the Cowboys. In New England, he would be corner four or five and would be able to rotate in sometimes while also being given the time to develop. Learning from guys like Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, he could be a starting corner in the NFL in a few years.