The New England Patriots have “kicked the tires” on a potential trade for Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, as reported by Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed.

Metcalf’s name has been floated around as a potential trade candidate considering the Seahawks’ poor salary cap situation. The two-time All-Pro receiver hauled in 66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns last season.

There are limited options for the Patriots in free agency, especially if Cincinnati Bengals’ pending free agent wideout Tee Higgins receives the franchise tag. That would leave Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin and a handful of questionable veterans that might be too overpriced for the Patriots.

Callahan and Kyed wrote:

“The front office has nonetheless kicked the tires on a potential trade for Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf, per source, while it weighs the ripple effects of making a player they’re not familiar with, like Metcalf, the new highest-paid player on the team.”

Metcalf is a top receiving weapon in the NFL at only 27 years old. He would make for a solid pairing with quarterback Drake Maye, who desperately needs a dominant downfield option at wide receiver.

How the Patriots approach the wide receiver room will be worth monitoring. Metcalf is one of the big names who could be on the trade block this offseason, and landing him would be a huge get for a Patriots offense in need of a significant upgrade.