The New England Patriots are in desperate need of help at the wide receiver position.
With Tee Higgins being the only top free-agent receiver available, if the Cincinnati Bengals don't tag him, the options are slim.
The trade market may be the best approach.
An AFC executive, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, seemed to think veteran receiver Cooper Kupp made the most sense for the Patriots, stating that they would be "foolish" if they didn't try to acquire the 31-year-old.
Kupp showed signs of declining play last season and might be a bit too expensive for a young Patriots team.
However, a trade for a receiver may be easier if no free agent wants to sign with the team, which seemed to be the case the past few offseasons.
An interesting wrinkle in a potential Kupp trade is that current Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne was Kupp's teammate in college.
The veteran Bourne is reportedly trying to convince the two sides to come together.
While, on paper, a Kupp trade might be difficult to get behind given the potential price, he may be the most realistic option for a desperate New England team.
The reality is Drake Maye needs more help next season, and an experienced receiver like Kupp would provide that and be much more consistent than any of the current receivers.
Many Patriots fans likely agree with the AFC executive that New England would be foolish not to at least try to acquire Kupp.
