NFL Rumors: Patriots Receiving Trade Calls on Wide Receiver

The New England Patriots' passing attack hasn't exactly set the world on fire over the first six weeks of the regular season, but rival teams apparently see something they like in a wide receiver buried on the depth chart. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports the Patriots are fielding trade requests on wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

At wide receiver, #Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne has garnered trade interest from teams, and #Steelers WR Chase Claypool is a player teams are keeping tabs on, believing he could have been available before the season. https://t.co/7dlCTTn3dh
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 18, 2022

Bourne saw his snaps shrink to practically nothing in the Patriots' Week 6 38-15 dismantling of the Cleveland Browns. He appeared on a mere four offensive snaps. The team isn't prioritizing him as a target and appears ready to move on.

Bourne was arguably the Patriots' best receiver in 2021, averaging an excellent 11.4 yards per target on his 800 receiving yards. For whatever reason, he appears to have fallen out of favor in New England. He clearly ranks behind Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, and DeVante Parker on the wide receiver depth chart.

BOURNE AGAIN. #ForeverNE

📺: #TENvsNE on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/JMQJaWN4Pn
— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2021

Bourne joined the Patriots in the 2021 offseason following four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He immediately appeared to be a heady, low-cost addition for the Pats, setting carer-highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in his first season with the team. With solid yards-after-catch ability and a very manageable contract, he could prove a solid addition for any team in desperate need of a complimentary wide receiver.