Bourne ends the season with just 305 receiving yards on 28 receptions (38 targets) and one touchdown in 12 games. Bourne had 406 receiving yards in just eight games with New England last season, so this was a disappointing effort for a player many thought would be the Patriots’ top receiving target this season. The 29-year-old is still under contract for two more seasons, but the Patriots do have an opt-out after this season where they can cut Bourne with a $2.8 million dead cap hit. Considering the Patriots have a lot of cap room to work with, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them move on from the veteran and go with a younger corps of receivers next season. If that does happen, Bourne will most likely find another team as part of a deep receiving corps but will be well off fantasy radars.

Bourne’s role as the veteran of the Pats’ wideout group does not allow for much fantasy production. He caught just two passes in a blowout loss. Rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker came into the game late, but neither caught a pass. Bourne should remain off fantasy radars while Polk and Baker have had disappointing rookie seasons.

Bourne technically broke his three-game, three-reception streak this week, though he did so by falling short of his underwhelming goal. Bourne is not up for fantasy consideration against the Chargers in Week 17.

Bourne has at least three catches in five straight games but has only topped 44 yards once in that stretch. He is running plenty of routes but rarely commands enough targets to crack the WR4 ranks. He is stuck farther down in the WR5/6 range for his Week 16 date with Buffalo.