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.
Kendrick Bourne Slipping Off Fantasy Radar For Week 18
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne continues to trend in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The 29-year-old has seen his role decline over the last two weeks, during which he has been less productive than both DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. Bourne played just 72 percent of the offensive snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers, and his two receptions tied his lowest mark since Week 8. The Bills have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers, but that's less appealing when you consider that Boutte continues to handle more snaps than Bourne. Despite the favorable matchup, Bourne's reduced volume keeps him outside the top 50 fantasy receivers for Week 18. He ranks as a mid-to-low WR5.
Kendrick Bourne Off Fantasy Radar In Most Leagues For Week 17
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has maintained a steady role within the offense, but he remains off the fantasy radar heading into Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bourne has just 11 catches for 131 yards over his last four games, and he hasn't found the end zone since Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams. He and DeMario Douglas have played a similar number of snaps lately, but they both rank a significant distance behind Kayshon Boutte in terms of usage. That's particularly unfortunate for Bourne because he operates out wide, which is where Boutte has played 89.9 percent of his snaps. Therefore, even against a Bolts defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to perimeter wide receivers, Bourne can't be trusted in lineups as long as Boutte remains a top option in New England's passing attack.
Kendrick Bourne Targeted Twice In Loss To Bills Sunday
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne converted his two targets into two receptions for 18 yards during Sunday's Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The veteran pass-catcher was dependable when Drake Maye threw his way, but that didn't happen too often on Sunday evening. This was Bourne's worst outing since Week 8 and will keep him off the fantasy radar going forward. On a positive note, he did play 69.8 percent of the offensive snaps on Sunday, which was his highest mark since Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans (and his third-highest mark through 10 games this season). Moving forward, Bourne can be left on fantasy waivers. He faces the Los Angeles Chargers next Saturday afternoon in Massachusetts.
Kendrick Bourne Remains Low-End Option For Week 16
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has emerged as a potential fantasy option lately, and he remains on the radar heading into Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. Over his last four games, Bourne has totaled 14 catches, 183 yards, and one touchdown, cementing himself as one of Drake Maye's favorite targets. This week, Bourne gets a favorable matchup against the Bills, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers who play out wide this year. Increased volume and a favorable matchup against the Bills put Bourne back on the radar as a low-end WR3/FLEX option in leagues with 14 or more teams.
Kendrick Bourne Leads Patriots In Receiving Yards Sunday
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne caught all three of his targets for 44 yards during Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Most of Bourne's production came on one singular play: a 37-yard reception that set up the Patriots inside the red zone. Drake Maye and DeMario Douglas connected for a touchdown two plays later. Bourne, 29, has been impressive over his last four games, totaling 14 catches, 183 receiving yards, and one touchdown during that span. The veteran pass-catcher has emerged as one of Maye's favorite targets and might even be ahead of Douglas in the pecking order. He should be viewed as a mid-range WR4 option heading into Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills.
Kendrick Bourne Gets Tough Matchup As Fantasy Playoffs Begin
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is not a reliable fantasy option entering Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. While Bourne combined for 11 catches, 139 yards, and one touchdown in three games prior to the Patriots' bye, the 29-year-old's upside will be limited this week as he takes on the Cardinals. Bourne has played 78.5 percent of his snaps out wide, and Arizona has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers operating out wide in 2024. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere such as Bourne's teammate and Patriots slot receiver DeMario Douglas for fantasy production in the WR3/FLEX position this week.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne caught all three of his targets for 39 yards during Sunday's Week 13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He played 64 percent of the team's offensive snaps and ranked third among Patriots wide receivers with 27 routes run. The 29-year-old now has at least three catches in each of his last three games, totaling 31.5 fantasy points (PPR) and ranking as the overall WR36 during that span. It's also worth noting that Bourne's production and fantasy value would have been even higher if not for a touchdown reception that was called back due to a penalty. Moving forward, Bourne's volume and scoring potential make him a fringe top-36 fantasy receiver on the other side of the Patriots' Week 14 bye.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will look to command at least five targets for the third consecutive game this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. The veteran receiver now has 10 targets, eight catches, 100 yards, and one touchdown over the last two weeks, ranking as the overall WR26 in half-PPR leagues during that span. While it's a small size and Bourne's production did decline from Week 11 to Week 12, it's still worth noting that he has quickly cemented himself as one of Maye's most preferred and reliable targets within the New England offense. He should continue to see heavy usage in Week 13, giving him WR3/FLEX appeal in leagues with at least 14 teams. His ranking could rise further if DeMario Douglas (ankle, questionable) isn't able to play this weekend. Bourne's opponent, Indianapolis, has allowed the eighth-most catches, seventh-most receiving yards, and 14th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Kendrick Bourne On Fantasy Radar After Season-High Performance
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has emerged out of nowhere as a potential WR3/FLEX option in fantasy football ahead of this week's game against the Miami Dolphins. He didn't step foot on the field in Week 10, but last Sunday, he played nearly half of the offensive snaps and finished with five catches, 80 yards, and a touchdown. It's unclear which version of Bourne we'll get this week, but it seems likely that he has earned even more opportunities after last week's strong showing. Miami has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year, but that number is likely skewed from the four-game stretch for which Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined; during that span, opponents adopted a run-heavy approach against the Dolphins and did not have to develop an overly aggressive passing attack. This Miami team allowed Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to combine for 16 catches and 178 yards just two weeks ago. Bourne isn't on the same level as either Rams receiver, but the bottom line is that the Dolphins have shown they aren't going to shut down every pass-catcher they face. Bourne is a viable WR3/FLEX option in fantasy leagues with at least 14 teams.
Kendrick Bourne
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