The Patriots' quest to bolster their receiving corps has sparked plenty of chatter about potential trades for a superstar. However, they might not need to look that far. Deebo Samuel remains unsigned a month into free agency, and he could be the key piece New England needs.
Samuel's name has been linked with the Patriots since his draft days. Back then, he and AJ Brown were on the franchise's radar, but Bill Belichick opted for N'Keal Harry instead. Now, with Samuel available, it's no surprise analysts are urging the Patriots to take a closer look.
While there's little concrete information about Eliot Wolf's interest in the 30-year-old receiver, NFL analysts, including Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, see Samuel as a potential game-changer for the Patriots' 2026 season.
Wide receiver remains a critical area for improvement, and Davenport believes Samuel could be the answer. Despite his age, Samuel delivered an impressive performance for the Commanders in 2025, even when starting QB Jayden Daniels was out for most of the season.
Considering the hefty draft capital required to trade for someone like AJ Brown, signing Samuel could be a savvy move. His 2025 stats speak volumes: 72 receptions, 727 yards, and five touchdowns over 16 games. Samuel proved to be a reliable target for the Commanders' backup quarterbacks, a trait that could greatly benefit Drake Maye in New England.
While Samuel might not top the list of most coveted free agents, he checks many boxes for what the Patriots' offense needs. Whether Foxboro will express interest remains to be seen, but Samuel's availability certainly warrants consideration.