Metcalf, 27, has spent his entire pro career in Seattle, where he established himself as one of the league’s most durable and physical receivers.
His best statistical year came in 2020, when he registered 1,303 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, but he is consistently productive. He has logged at least 5 touchdowns, 58 catches, 100 targets, and 900 receiving yards in each of his six seasons. His availability, too, is among the best, having missed just three games in his career.
At 6 feet 4 inches, 235 pounds, Metcalf boasts tremendous speed as a deep threat. All five of his touchdowns last season came on plays of at least 20 yards. (Only the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase scored more on such plays.) Over the past five years, according to Next Gen Stats, Metcalf ranks at the top of the league in touchdowns scored on go routes — a reflection of his speed.
Metcalf would instantly elevate New England’s wide receiver room, giving quarterback Drake Maye a reliable option and opening up opportunities for others, such as DeMario Douglas in the slot. Metcalf’s age also matches the organization’s timeline, as he would be turning 31 in the final year of Maye’s rookie contract.
So, how much would Metcalf cost?
The 49ers just traded 29-year-old wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Commanders for a fifth-round pick. Last year, the Bills traded Stefon Diggs, a 2024 fifth-rounder, and a 2025 sixth-rounder to the Texans in exchange for a second-round pick. In 2022, during the first round of the draft, the Titans traded A.J. Brown, then 24, to the Eagles for a first-rounder and a third-rounder.
The Patriots would likely have to give up their second-round pick, in addition to giving Metcalf a new contract. But they have the salary-cap space and assets to do so.
Coach Mike Vrabel, speaking last week at the NFL Combine, acknowledged the difficulties in finding a No. 1 receiver.
“You usually have to draft them,” he said. “Then sometimes, based on circumstances, they’re available for trade. I think we’ll explore every opportunity that we can to add great players that we feel like are the right fit and we feel like can help us. There’s only so many options in free agency, in trade, and the draft. We’ll explore all three of those.”
The question also stands: Would Metcalf be interested in playing for the Patriots?
Although Maye and Vrabel have boosted the organization’s appeal, New England is still not among the most attractive destinations for NFL players. In January, Metcalf said on Katie Nolan’s podcast that he couldn’t see himself ever living in Massachusetts.
“It’s not a desirable place, in my opinion,” he told Nolan. “Great organization, though.”
If the Patriots cannot land Metcalf, do they have other options?
The Rams informed Cooper Kupp they intend to trade him. Kupp, soon to be 32, has dealt with injuries as he enters the final stages of his career, so he may not be the best fit for the Patriots, who would likely prefer a younger player given the stage of their rebuild.
The Patriots could reengage with the 49ers about Brandon Aiyuk, whom they pursued last offseason. Aiyuk ultimately turned down a more lucrative contract from the Patriots to stay with the 49ers, but perhaps San Francisco’s struggles last season — he tore his ACL in Week 7 — have changed his feelings.
It seems as though Brown will always be linked to the Patriots, as long as Vrabel is coach. Brown, who started his pro career playing for Vrabel in Tennessee, maintains a close relationship with him. A reunion sounds incredibly unlikely, with the Eagles coming off winning the Super Bowl.
The Bengals recently placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins for the second straight year, so there is a chance he could become available via trade if the parties cannot agree to a long-term extension. In that scenario, the Patriots would have to give up draft capital in addition to offering the 26-year-old Higgins a lucrative contract that some within the organization do not believe he is worth.
If the Patriots want to stick to free agency for a wide receiver, their options include Chris Godwin, Davante Adams, Christian Kirk, Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett, and Diggs. Godwin and Kirk are the lone players of that bunch younger than 30.
The Patriots know the best way to find talented wide receivers is through the draft. Given the state of their roster, however, they have no choice but to consider all possibilities, whether that be a trade for Metcalf, overpaying Godwin, or taking one in the draft.
“If we find a No. 1 receiver — they’re just not walking around here, let me know if they are — we’ll get them,” Vrabel said. “But we’re going to do everything that we can.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at [email protected] her @nicolecyang.
