Mike Vrabel and company recently got an up-close look at a pair of receivers now surfacing in trade speculation.

If the New Orleans Saints opt to retain 2022 first-round pick Chris Olave, who is scheduled to play on his fifth-year option next season, fellow wideout Rashid Shaheed is thought to be a better-than-average consolation prize.

“I really like Rashid Shaheed,” Patriots insider Phil Perry said on Early Edition on Monday night. “To me, he gives you speed, speed and more speed.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported New Orleans is open to trading Shaheed, who is playing on an expiring contract. Schefter wrote teams have called the Saints regarding Shaheed’s availability and New Orleans is willing to part ways for the “right price.” The desired price, Schefter reported, is a third-round pick.

Here’s the case for and against the Patriots making such a move before the Nov. 4 deadline:

The case for Shaheed

Drake Maye and the 2025 Patriots are worthy of investment. Nobody expected New England to be atop the AFC East and second in the conference eight weeks into the season. But they are. Based on how the NFL has looked, and based on New England’s franchise-igniting five-game win streak, there’s reason to believe Vrabel’s team can contend sooner than expected.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the Patriots will approach the deadline with a long-term outlook. Understandable. Still, there are players who fit both the short-term and long-term buckets. The 27-year-old Shaheed, an undrafted product playing in his fourth season, is among them. He fits New England’s timeline.

On the field, Shaheed is on pace for a career year. He’s hauled in 39 receptions on 57 targets for 431 yards and a pair of touchdowns. And that’s playing with Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler. While Rattler was drafted the same year as Maye, nobody is confusing the two. Maye is deserving of the NFL MVP hype that’s started to catch on. He’s also looked like one of the best deep-ball throwers in football, which would play right into Shaheed’s forte.

The case against Shaheed

Didn’t the Patriots just spend a third-round pick on a wide receiver projected to be an explosive-play threat? Rookie wideout Kyle Williams, who the Patriots selected 69th overall six months ago, has come up well short of expectations to this point. In the first eight games, Williams has two receptions on five targets for 20 yards. He’s struggled to get on the same page as Maye and it’s limited him to just 17.8 percent of offensive snaps.

Williams, though, is still just a rookie. It’s far too early to give up on him.

Additionally, the emergence of wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been one of the main storylines in New England this season. Boutte, though not a speedy pass-catcher like Shaheed, has emerged as a true “X” receiver. He’s thrived outside because of his contested catch ability and clearly-formed connection with Maye. Adding Shaheed to the mix could very hinder Boutte’s playing time and production.

The verdict is…

Make the move for Maye.

There’s no denying the wide receiver room has exceeded expectations this season behind Stefon Diggs, Boutte and others. But the Patriots still are not in position to deny talent at the skill positions. Shaheed, who caught 46 passes for 719 yards and five touchdowns during his second season, would provide them with a vertical element that could unlock Maye. Shouldn’t that take priority over everything else at this point?

Not pursuing a deal because of an unproven rookie like Williams — especially given the team’s struggles identifying wide receivers in the NFL draft — would not be fair to the current roster. Those in the locker room have showed signs they can contend with the best in the conference, and thus are deserving of additions who help them do so.