Bills Interested in Signing Patriots Free Agent WR Kendrick Bourne: Report
There seems to be no stronger craving in Western New York than the Buffalo Bills and a new starting receiver.
From Scouting Combine meetings to mock drafts and the departure of boundary receiver Gabe Davis, Buffalo will have a new addition starting alongside Stefon Diggs and, presumably, Khalil Shakir. Deciphering who Josh Allen’s next weapon will be has proven to be far more difficult.
What if Buffalo decides to circle back on a target of interest from years past?
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According to the Boston Herald, New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne could be on Buffalo’s radar. The Bills had checked in on him before, and if he hits the open market, could command a starting role on a competitor.
“According to one source familiar with the wide receiver market, if the Pats do not re-sign Bourne, history indicates they might lose him to a division foe,” Andrew Callahan reported. “The Jets were among the teams that showed interest in Bourne over the last 18 months. … Prior to signing with the Patriots as a free agent in 2021, Bourne also received interest from the Bills and Texans, per source.”
Bourne has had a late ascension of sorts, outperforming his rookie contract during his sting with New England. After three years with the Patriots – complete with 127 catches for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns – Bourne is back on the verge of free agency. This time, however, he’s coming off of an ACL tear in the middle of the season.
Entering his age-29 season, Bourne is coming off of arguably the best half-season of his career. Posting 406 yards and four scores in just eight games, Bourne proved himself capable of seeing starting snaps.
However, this time around, the Bills may be inclined to look elsewhere.
That isn’t a knock on Bourne. As a Z-receiver or slot target, he offers a lot to offenses, including the ability to make plays after the catch (or handoff). Buffalo, though, saw Shakir emerge in a similar role in 2023.
Shakir figures to be a part of this team’s long-term plans. Signing Bourne would either relegate Shakir – an unnecessary upgrade – or build a receiving corps too small to trust. Davis, for better or worse, was a big body who was trusted downfield.
Expect the Bills to search for a similar archetype, that of a vertical field stretcher, to replace Davis. Bourne’s impact is instead made closer to the line of scrimmage.
It may not come in the first round – though the Combine certainly increased those odds – but Buffalo will add a starting receiver this offseason. Expect the acquisition to be a bigger one, physically, than Bourne.
