Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or Treylon Burks

Saturday, February 22, 12:03 PM

The Athletic's Chad Graff suggests that it could be time for the New England Patriots to move on from wide receiver Kendrick Bourne this offseason, even if he's their top player at their biggest position of need. Bourne missed the start of the 2024 season while recovering from a torn right ACL and caught only 28 passes on 38 targets for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (nine starts) once he returned. With a new coaching regime in town, the Patriots could move on from Bourne, who will be heading into his age-30 season in 2025. New England would save $4.9 million in salary cap space if they cut him before June 1 or $6.3 million if they cut him with a post-June 1 designation. Bourne is under contract with the Patriots through the 2026 season, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see this rebuilding organization go in another direction as they completely rebuild their receiving corps.

Thursday, June 19, 3:00 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks (knee) is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during a special-teams drill last October, but the former first-round pick out of Arkansas is already running and going through drills this offseason. Burks' career has not gone to plan, as he has registered just 53 receptions for 699 yards and one touchdown in 27 career games since essentially replacing A.J. Brown in Tennessee. However, Burks is not concerned with the doubters and is self-motivated heading into 2025. "I am not going out to prove nobody wrong, I am going out to prove myself right, Burks said." While it would be a nice feel-good story if Burks breaks out, there's a chance he will be released by the Titans following training camp. The team has Calvin Ridley on the roster and added wideouts Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson via free agency. They also drafted Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Undrafted rookie Xavier Restrepo and 2024 NFL draft pick Jha'Quan Jackson are among other WRs fighting for a roster spot.