New England Patriots: 10 Deep Threats They Will Go After This Offseason

The New England Patriots need a deep threat. The Patriots were taken to school this past Sunday by the Jets, who showed Bill Belichick his short to mid-range passing game was no longer going to work.

Going into 2011, Belichick has to see what he can do to give Tom Brady a good deep route runner to spread the defense out.

Between Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan, the Patriots got exposed in 2010 in a big way. Mangini was the only coach gutsy enough to run the right coverage against Tom Brady, and Rex Ryan was the only coach smart enough to listen to what Mangini was talking about.

Plus, Ryan had seen that the constant blitzing he used in Week 13 absolutely did not work, so what did he have to lose?

Here are 10 wide receivers the Patriots may go after via free agency, trade, or the draft.

*Note: This article will assume a new collective bargaining agreement is reached so that trades between teams involving players make take place as well as free agent signing.

10. Braylon Edwards

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets scores a second quarter touchdown as Devin McCourty #32 and Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots attempt to tackle during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette

Braylon Edwards will be a free agent after the season. However, Belichick's disciple, Eric Mangini, traded Edwards away from Cleveland.

Given the two have similar coaching philosophies, this would make Edwards a true longshot to be on the Patriots roster next year.

However, if Belichick can be convinced Edwards' problems were with Cleveland, and that his penchant for dropping easy passes also was left behind in Cleveland, Edwards might become a free agent option.

9. Larry Fitzgerald

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

This is another longshot, but it is worth mentioning.

Fitzgerald reportedly is very happy in Arizona, and the Cardinals have said they want to keep the talented receiver and sign him to a new contract.

His current contract is up after the 2011 season and he has a no-trade clause in there.

However, if the Cardinals are offered enough by the Patriots, and they have two first-round picks, and Fitzgerald is amenable, that no-trade clause could be waived and Fitzgerald would be a Patriot.

New England probably would be one of two or three teams Fitzgerald would waive the no-trade clause for.

8. James Jones

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers scores a 20-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Atari Bigby #20 of the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011

While James Jones does have troubles with drops, he is a legitimate downfield target.

The Patriots will be looking at everything and anything moving forward, and if Jones will come at the right price, the Patriots may pick him up.

7. Dez Bryant

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

A Dallas Cowboys executive said on Jan. 17 they would be willing to listen to any offers for Bryant. That doesn't mean they're going to trade him, but if they're listening, then the Patriots have all the right bargaining chips.

6. Malcolm Floyd

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Michael Huff #24 of the Oakland Raiders breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Malcolm Floyd #80 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 2

Malcolm Floyd has proven to be a valuable piece of the Charger's offense, but the Chargers offense still performed well while he was injured.

If it comes down to a money issue, Floyd may be one of the guys not re-signed this offseason. The Patriots then could end up being willing suitors.

5. Tandon Doss

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Brandon Saine #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to make a tackle on Tandon Doss #2 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a kickoff return at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Tandon Doss is a receiver shooting up the ESPN Draft Board. Todd McShay said he recently broke down film of the kid and now has him as one of the most underrated receivers in the draft, moving him up into the early second round.

Guess who has the first pick in the second round?

4. Vincent Jackson

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers looks on from the sidelines against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo

Vincent Jackson was not happy with what the Chargers offered him prior to the 2010 season and as a result, he sat out most of the season.

While the winds of change always are blowing, this is an opportunity for a lot of other teams, including the Patriots, to swoop in and make Jackson an offer he can't refuse.

3. Sidney Rice

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With the winds of change always blowing, Sidney Rice may decide he doesn't want to hang around Minnesota while they rebuild.

With that in mind, the Patriots only really need a slight retooling, most of the rebuild actually was accomplished this season and they still finished 14-2.

Rice would give the Patriots an immediate credible downfield threat, and it probably wouldn't break their bank.

2. Jonathan Baldwin

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the Pittsburgh Panthers watches as teammate Dion Lewis #28 fumbles the ball at the goal line against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (

The Patriots are going to draft a wide receiver no matter what. Even if they find a guy in free agency, you got to have some of your own young guys to develop, that's just how successful teams stay successful.

A.J. Green will be long gone by the time the Patriots draft, and it's possible Julio Jones could be gone as well. Even if Jones still is on the board, he already has a reputation for drops that Jonathan Baldwin doesn't have.

Plus, the Patriots could go for a good pass rusher or offensive lineman with their first pick in the first round, trusting Baldwin will still be on the board for their next pick.

1. Santonio Holmes

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

If you can't beat them, sign them.

The Jets have far too many free agents to sign everyone to the contracts they all will want. It's the downside of the business sometimes. So the Jets will have to prioritize and figure out who gets what share of the pie.

The Patriots are going younger and shouldn't have as many free agent needs as the Jets, so that means they might have some more money with which to sign Santonio Holmes.

Holmes has had some off-field issues, but he's served his suspension already, and he hasn't gotten into any more trouble this year.

Given the impact Holmes has had on the Jets, it's difficult to see the Jets not doing everything they can to keep him, but money talks, and if the Patriots offer more money, than that is where Holmes wil go.