Tag: Kendrick Bourne

Projected market value for Patriots’ top pending free agents

The Patriots have multiple in-house free agents they might want to re-sign. Here’s what it could cost them.

Big decisions loom on the horizon for the New England Patriots heading into free agency.

They’re sitting pretty right now with roughly over $100 million in available salary cap space, but they are also a team bogged down with various holes and upgrade needs on their roster.

Free agency isn’t just about paying big money to load up on outside talent. It’s also about keeping the talent you already have to ensure some continuity. Not everything was bad with the 4-13 Patriots, and this isn’t a situation where the organization is looking to throw the entire team away.

There were pieces that stood out as potential parts of an eventual solution in New England. and it now falls on Patriots executive Eliot Wolf and the front office to figure out ways to keep those pieces intact.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Patriots’ top free agents and their projected market values, according to PFF.com and Spotrac.com.

Report: Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne expected to test free agent market

Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne is reportedly expected to hit the open market

Don’t expect the New England Patriots and Kendrick Bourne to strike up a contract extension before free agency, according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson. The Patriots’ veteran wide receiver is expected to test the free agent market, after missing over half the 2023 season with a torn ACL.

Bourne has expressed publicly about his desires to stay in New England, but one has to wonder what his contract situation looks like right now as a 28-year-old receiver coming off such a significant injury.

He clearly appeared to be heading towards a breakout season with 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns in the first eight games of the season. But his season was ultimately cut short in Week 8 at Miami.

“Don’t expect a new deal at this time for #Patriots and pending free agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, per league sources, as he is currently expected to test the market where strong interest is expected,” Wilson posted on the platform X. “Full recovery expected from knee injury for first game of season with steady progress already happening.”

Keep in mind, just because the two sides aren’t expected to reach a deal before the start of free agency doesn’t mean Bourne is out in New England. This could simply be a matter of him testing the market and coming back to the Patriots to give them a chance to match his best offer.

Bourne was one of the few productive receivers on the Patriots’ struggling roster. Even with the knee injury, he’s expected to be ready by the regular season opener to contribute.

It’s surreal to think his comeback game could potentially be elsewhere and not in New England.

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6 under-the-radar free agents Saints could target

6 under-the-radar free agents the New Orleans Saints could target on offense and defense:

The New Orleans Saints will have largely the same roster next year as they did last season, but will need to look around for some role players to replace those that are on the way out.

The Saints likely won’t be in on the big name targets such as defensive linemen Chris Jones, Justin Madubike or Josh Allen but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t options at more available price points.

Last year, they signed players like veteran safeties Jonathan Abram and Ugo Amadi that flew under the radar during free agency, but ended up making a bit of an impact and will likely stick around for another year.

Here are some under-the-radar options in this free agency class at some positions of need:

Ranking 2024’s top 12 free-agent wide receivers

You may want to bookmark this one, Panthers fans.

We know that Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young can’t do it alone. So, the newly-constructed braintrust needs to find him some help—and that search could start on the open market.

Here are the top 12 free-agent wide receivers for the 2024 offseason:

 

WR Kendrick Bourne shares thoughts on Patriots’ No. 3 draft pick

Kendrick Bourne doesn’t think the Patriots should trade down in the draft

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne already named his top quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. Now, he’s sharing his opinion on what the Patriots should do with the No. 3 overall pick.

Some mock drafts have the Patriots trading down and accumulating more draft picks, instead of taking one of the top-three quarterbacks. However, if Bourne had it his way, the team would stay put and take the best available player.

“Ah, don’t do it,” Bourne said during an interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran, when asked if the Patriots should trade down from No. 3.

Bourne, who is a pending free agent for the Patriots, hopes to stick around in New England and bounce back strong after going down with a torn ACL during the season. Before the injury, he tallied 37 catches for 460 yards and four touchdowns.

The Patriots trading down would certainly be an interesting move, given that the team needs help at the quarterback position. That being said, the Patriots need help at multiple positions.

So trading down would not be out of the realm of possibility.

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Kendrick Bourne on Mac Jones, void left by Devin McCourty’s departure and more

Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne spoke about Mac Jones’ tough season in New England, the void left by Devin McCourty and more

On a Radio Row jam-packed with legendary NFL players, both past and present, Kendrick Bourne also garnered some of the spotlight with candid and insightful comments about the Patriots, the team he has competed for since 2021

The 28-year-old, who also played four seasons with the 49ers, sat down with USA TODAY’s Christian D’Andrea to speak about all things New England Patriots.  

Bourne, a pending free agent who is currently rehabbing and progressing “ahead of schedule,” agreed with D’Andrea when asked if Mac Jones was “done dirty.” 

“I think it was just more the environment for him and not gelling with the OC or the head coach,” said Bourne. 

Still, Bourne thinks Jones will remain a Patriot – maybe as a backup if New England drafts a QB, or even as a starter.

“I think he’s too valuable (to lose),” said Bourne. 

Bourne made sure to leave no doubt that he remains a member of “Team Mac, for sure.”  

Within their conversation, the receiver who has 21 career receiving TDs, also spoke about the huge void left by the departure of Devin McCourty, where he sees Bill Belichick in 2025, and his thoughts on new Pats coach Jerod Mayo, who he anticipates will be a players coach.  

Check out the full interview at the top of the page.

Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne names top QB choice in 2024 NFL draft

Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels? Kendrick Bourne gives his pick on the top QB prospect in this year’s draft.

The 2024 NFL draft is just a couple of months away, and the New England Patriots have been mostly mocked as a team likely to take a quarterback.

New England will certainly have their options to choose from at the position with the third overall pick. Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne cast his vote for a signal-caller in an interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran.

This year’s draft is top-heavy with quarterbacks. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels all figure to be selected within the first 10 picks. Bourne knows which one he wants, as the organization looks towards the future at the position.

“I like Jayden Daniels. So I’m a Jayden Daniels fan, Heisman Trophy winner, obviously,” said Bourne. “I love how he plays, being able to be versatile. So, I think that would be a strong suit for us, just in my opinion.”

Daniels certainly had a stellar career for LSU, throwing for 4,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2023. His mobility and strong arm could be a change for New England. He certainly could provide intrigue with the Patriots clearly needing a spark from the quarterback position.

Who knows? Bourne may get his top quarterback after all.

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WR Kendrick Bourne opens up about ‘toxic’ locker room culture

A Mac Jones question got a deeper response than expected from Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne opened up about a toxic locker room culture that was prevalent in 2022 and 2023, as New England continued to struggle.

The wide receiver struggled on the field in his own right. He was basically shut out from the entire offense in 2022 and ended up recording only 35 catches for 434 yards and a touchdown.

However, things were off to a more promising start in 2023, before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in October. He ended up tallying 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.

Bourne noted that the locker room culture wasn’t the easiest to deal with over the past two seasons with the team posting a combined 12-22 record. He elaborated on those feelings when asked a question about quarterback Mac Jones’ standing in the locker room.

“I think it was just two years of roughness, rebuilding and trying to find who we were. And I think it was kind of a toxic place,” said Bourne, when appearing on the Zach Gelb Show on CBS Sports Radio. “People pointing the finger and things like that in the locker room. Not too bad, but you could feel the energy. I’ve been a part of a winning locker room, as you know, in San Francisco. It was just different. It was harder to get through those situations.”

The Patriots organization hope to get back to their winning ways with the new coaching staff beginning to take shape.

Bourne is set to be a free agent, but he has stated he wants to come back to New England. There appears to be mutual interest from the Patriots’ side as well. Time will tell if both sides can put the drama in the past and move towards a brighter future.

The Patriots are in desperate need of offensive weapons, and Bourne has been one of their best since he joined the team.

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Pending free agent WR Kendrick Bourne wants to play for Patriots in 2024

Kendrick Bourne loved his time in New England so much that he’s hoping to return in 2024

Pending free agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is hoping to re-sign with the New England Patriots in free agency.

The wideout has had an up-and-down career in New England. He was most productive in 2021, when he tallied 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 14.5 yards per catch.

Bourne was on track for matching or even surpassing those numbers in 2023, before going down with a torn ACL in the Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He finished the season with 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns.

There was a report that the Patriots were in talks to potentially bring back the veteran wide receiver, and the wideout seems to be onboard with figuring out a way to make that happen, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

“I want to come back [to New England]. That is a goal of mine. I love being a Patriot — it’s a great environment for a person like me,” Bourne told ESPN. “Being a Patriot helped me grow into the player I am today. I’m thankful for the organization, but you never know. I’ve been in free agency before and I didn’t know what would happen. And I don’t know now.”

Bourne being back on the field would add a veteran presence for a quarterback room that will need stability in 2024, especially if they decide to draft a rookie. He will be one of the key names to watch for a Patriots team with several notable free agents this offseason.

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Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne posts video showcasing ACL rehab

Kendrick Bourne posts encouraging video of his ACL rehab work

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is continuing his rehab from a torn ACL he suffered last October. The wide receiver recently posted a video of his road to recovery on Instagram.

Before going down with the injury, Bourne led all Patriots receivers with 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns. He has been a key piece of the New England wide receiver group since his arrival. The Patriots have been in contact with him about a contract extension, according to reports circulating last week.

Bourne was signed by New England as a free agent in March 2021. He quickly burst onto the scene in his first year with the team, catching 70 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2dl1Y0P4Xi/?hl=en

Time will tell how Bourne’s future plays out with New England. He will be one of many pending free agents the organization has to make a decision on this offseason.

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