PLAN A: Pair Jones Jr. or Samuel with a No. 3 option

He’s productive, durable and able to play inside and out. He can win underneath and against the sideline. He’s rock-solid career starter and former team captain.

Marvin Jones Jr. should be among the Patriots’ first calls next week.

Last season, Jones caught 76 passes for 978 yards and six touchdowns in Detroit, where he started every game. He ranks fourth in contested catches over the past two seasons, per Pro Football Focus. Jones’ versatility and refined route-running — both must-haves for Pats receivers — have allowed him to thrive in Detroit and Cincinnati and should ease any transition to New England.

Because Jones turns 31 this week, the average annual value of his next contract projects to be half of what the available No. 1 wideouts will see. Jones is expected to sign for $9 million to $10 million annually, likely over a two to three-year span; an ideal framework for the Pats.

There are drawbacks to signing Jones: lack of long-term upside and minimal after-the-catch value. Enter Samuel.

The 24-year-old broke out last season under a new Panthers coaching staff, with career highs in catches (77), receiving yards (851), rushes (41) and rushing yards (200). Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady maximized Samuel’s 4.3 speed by deploying him all across the formation, while Samuel learned to uncover quickly in the slot. In fact, he played more than half his snaps there, and his 1.84 yards per route run from the slot tied for the second-highest mark among qualified wideouts, per PFF.

In New England, Samuel could win over the middle, where his catch rate was over 86% last year, and supply a sorely needed deep threat. He averaged 3.5 yards of separation in 2020, per Next Gen Stats, one of the highest marks in the league. Because of his versatility and age, projections for Samuel’s next contract vary.

Spotrac pegs him at $12.4 million per year, likely an unpalatable number for the Pats that another top-tier free agent wideout, such as Tennessee’s Corey Davis, should attract. PFF projects Samuel’s next deal to be worth $8.5 million annually. That should work.

Ideally, the Patriots would land both Samuel and Jones. But with the wideout market expected to dry up once franchise tags are applied, players like them could command more money and put themselves out of the Pats’ reach. Nab one, and that’s still a win.