Drake Maye is the future, but it’s up to the New England Patriots to maximize that future by putting some weapons around him.
It’s remarkable that Maye had any success as a rookie while throwing primarily to Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Hunter Henry. But for the 22-year-old quarterback to take a leap in year two, he’s going to need more reliable pass-catchers.
The Patriots’ top target this offseason is likely Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Cincinnati may use the franchise tag to retain the five-year veteran, and if he hits the open market, the Washington Commanders might offer a more appealing destination.
That leaves New England looking for a backup option, and as far as those go, nabbing a receiver with four 1,000-yard seasons and a Pro Bowl nomination under his belt wouldn’t be the worst way to go.
On Wednesday, Scott Engel of Advance Local predicted that the Patriots would sign longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Chris Godwin, a soon-to-be 29-year-old who was on his way to a career year in 2024 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
“Drake Maye needs a reliable top pass-catcher, and a dependable veteran like Godwin would be the ideal acquisition,” Engel wrote.
Godwin had 576 receiving yards and five touchdowns in seven games played this season, which put him on pace for nearly 1,400 yards on the nose. His career-high is 1,333, set back in 2019.
The eight-year veteran has spent his entire career in Tampa thus far, and he was an instrumental member of the 2020 squad that won the second Super Bowl in franchise history with Patriots icon Tom Brady playing quarterback.
Perhaps it’s time for the tables to turn and the Patriots to nab a player from Tampa with championship pedigree to help restore the winning culture in Foxborough.
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