Patriots' Top WR Options in 2024 NFL Draft, Free Agency After Calvin Ridley to Titans

The New England Patriots need to add a wide receiver this offseason, but after losing out on the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes, the franchise's options in free agency could be limited.

New England was considered one of the top landing spots for Ridley, but he agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday in what is perhaps the biggest surprise of 2024 free agency.

With Ridley off the board, the Patriots intend to address the wide receiver position through the 2024 draft, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.

While New England owns the No. 3 overall pick in this spring's draft, it's unlikely the franchise uses that selection on one of the top wide receivers available—Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze—because it has a greater need at quarterback after trading Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After the No. 3 overall pick, New England doesn't make another selection until the second round at No. 34 overall. That said, they likely aren't finding a new No. 1 wideout through the draft.

With such elite talent off the board, here's a look at some wide receivers the Patriots could target to join a room that includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas and Tyquan Thornton.

Ladd McConkey, Georgia

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Ladd McConkey #84 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball for a touchdown in the first half during the Capital One Orange Bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

In the next class of wide receivers behind the likes of Nabers, Harrison and Odunze is Georgia's Ladd McConkey.

The 22-year-old could be an attractive option for the Patriots, who sent a wide receiver coach to Georgia's Pro Day on Wednesday, according to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy.

McConkey spent his entire college career with the Bulldogs and is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he caught 30 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns in nine games.

While the numbers aren't eye-popping, McConkey was competing in an offense that also included the likes of Brock Bowers, who is considered the top tight end available in the 2024 draft class.

McConkey is listed as the 10th-best wide receiver available in the 2024 draft by Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, and B/R NFL Draft Scout Derrik Klassen lists his pro comparison as Diontae Johnson.

"McConkey can be a good slot/Z type in the NFL. He can play both inside and out, he is a highly effective route-runner and his hands are reliable enough," Klassen wrote of McConkey. "With that said, McConkey's lack of size and strength will likely limit him to being a complementary piece rather than a core part of his future offense."

Xavier Legette, South Carolina

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) during the Duke's Mayo Classic college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the South Carolina Gamecocks on September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette could also be an intriguing option for New England.

The 23-year-old, who spent his entire college career at South Carolina, is coming off an impressive 2023 campaign with the Gamecocks in which he caught 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.

The Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department lists Legette as the 13th-best wide receiver available this spring, and Klassen lists his pro comparison as Kenny Britt.

"Legette is an intriguing prospect with size, adequate speed and ball skills. The concern is that Legette is not a dynamic mover, and he is still a work in progress when it comes to the finer parts of the position," Klassen wrote. "Legette would be best in a play-action heavy system that enables his vertical ability and ball skills."

Odell Beckham Jr., Free Agent

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on in action during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at Levi's Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Odell Beckham Jr. has bounced around the NFL over the last two years, suiting up for the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens.

The three-time Pro Bowler was consistently linked to the Patriots during Bill Belichick's tenure as head coach, and perhaps the franchise could explore signing him this offseason under Jerod Mayo.

The Ravens are reportedly set to release Beckham with a post-June 1 designation, and he'd be a reliable receiver for any rookie quarterback New England drafts this spring.

Beckham is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. He's far from the player he once was, but there's no denying he would have an impact on the New England offense.