If Patriots miss on Tee Higgins, this 1,000-yard WR could be an option

If Tee Higgins isn’t available, this move would make sense for the Patriots in free agency

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is viewed as a top-tier free agent wideout and an explosive weapon.

The New England Patriots would obviously benefit from having him on their roster. However, NBC Sports Boston’s Phil A. Perry believes Calvin Ridley could be a more realistic option.

Ridley is coming off a successful 2023 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. It marked the second 1,000-yard season of his career.

The Patriots could use Ridley, as they continue to search for a top option at the wide receiver position. The organization has not had a true No. 1 wideout in quite some time, and Ridley could be the answer.

“I really like Calvin Ridley, who obviously spent a lot of time away from the game, served a whole year suspension for gambling,” said Perry. “Left the team, the [Atlanta] Falcons in 2021, midseason basically, because he was dealing with mental health issues. But he came back this year and had a 1,000-yard season in Jacksonville.

“And he is an explosive player, and he’s now in his seventh season. I just don’t think he’s going to necessarily command like $20 million a year. It might cost somewhere around $15-16 million a year. And that, to me, would be a tremendous upgrade for your receiver corps.”

Why not Higgins?

Well, Perry thinks the Bengals will ultimately franchise tag him in an effort to preserve a Super Bowl run in 2024.

Ridley could provide the explosiveness that the Patriots have been missing at the wide receiver position for quite some time. Higgins would obviously be the ultimate prize, but Ridley would certainly be a solid second option.

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