Do the Patriots have one in the chamber?

So far 2023 has brought nothing but heartbreaking losses with the Bruins early exit, the Celtics losing in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Red Sox just suck. So we have to look at the rest of 2023 with a glass half full approach and with OTA’s under way this week what if the Patriots can pull off a play for a high level player.

It would have be through a trade or one of these players being released due to cap issues with their own team.

The upgrade has to come on the offensive side of the ball either at running back because the Patriots always role with multiple options and play with a running back by committee. Rhamandre Stevenson and James Robinson won’t be enough.

The wide receiving core still doesn’t have a clear number 1. Ju Ju had his best season in Pittsburgh with Antonio Brown on the opposite side of him. Bringing in an upper echelon player across from him will help him and Mac Jones.

The last is the obvious one and that’s tight end. I say this because I believe Hunter Henry could be released if he doesn’t restructure his deal and would leave a glaring hole after Mike Gesicki.

Here are some realistic options that could be had by the Patriots.

Ezekiel Elliot is the perfect Patriots project. A guy who is still sitting at home without a team and the Patriots could get at a low risk high reward deal now. Zeke doesn’t need to be the featured back here and could have some left in the tank for a couple great games.

Joe Mixon is facing legal battles, could be released because Joe Burrow and Ja’Mar Chase are about to get paid. This scenario is a Bill Belichicks wet dream. Like the same said about Zeke, doesn’t have to be the featured guy and could come in to help take the load off Rhamandre and can also catch passes out of the backfield.

Corey Davis wanted out last year and now that Aaron Rodgers brought in his guys, Davis is more in the outs than last year. Davis isn’t the 1A player we need but could rejuvenate his career in New England with a no nonsense type attitude in New England.

Deandre Hopkins would have this team competing for a wild card spot even if he is 32 years old. When he was with Bill O’Brien in Houston he had his best numbers and coming to New England he could see that again.

If not one of these guys who do you think comes in?