The New England Patriots’ logic for adding a speedster in free agency or by trade is simple: they weren’t seperating from cornerbacks in two of their three most important games of the 2016 NFL season.

As noted by CSNNE’s Michael Giardi, the Patriots struggled to get open against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional round and against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

What to do about this problem? Add someone who is too fast to cover.

Go back & look hard at the Pats offense in the Super Bowl (for 3 Qs) and vs Texans. Had a hard time separating. Hence interest in speedy WR — Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 8, 2017

The Patriots have a speedster in Chris Hogan, but a by adding a playmaker like Cooks — especially if he comes at the right price — the Patriots offense could find its seventh gear. They’d be like Mad Max charging down Fury Road with the rest of the NFL chasing behind them. Defense would be futile — explosions would be imminent.

So the Patriots have elected to pursue a pair of speedy wideouts during the 2017 offseason. They reportedly attempted a trade for New Orleans Saints receiver Brandin Cooks while also showing interest in Washington Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson.

This is only notable because the Patriots so rarely pursue big-name receivers. The last time they acquired someone truly notable? Randy Moss (and Wes Welker). Danny Amendola was a reasonably big-name signing in 2013, though he’s doesn’t fall into the category of Jackson or Cooks — and certainly not Moss.

And while Tom Brady gets knocked for having a bad deep ball, he’s greatly improved in recent years, and was excellent in 2016. A target like Cooks or Jackson will not go underutilized in the Patriots offense, which is famous for its dink-and-dunk system that relies heavily on short passes including timing and crossing routes.

Jackson and Cooks could bring a new element to the Patriots offense. As the Patriots try to play to the strengths of their players, the role for a speedy receiver would be unique to New England. It wouldn’t be exactly what Moss brought nor what Deion Branch bought. But it may fall comfortable between the two players.

And while the Patriots had Hogan, who ran the best go-route in the NFL in 2016, and Edelman, who ran the best hitch and comeback routes, they don’t have anyone who can carve up the intermediate section of the field and make big plays. That’s where Cooks and Jackson — or another player with a similar skill set — could provide major contributions.

That’s also why the Patriots have shown interest in acquiring soon-to-be Giants receiver Brandon Marshall and Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Those two aren’t stereotypical burners, but they bring a diversity to the offense as large and athletic receivers who have shown they can take control of the deep third of the field — particularly in the middle of the field. Michael Floyd was added during the 2016 season with this thought in mind, even though he didn’t pan out.

So perhaps the Patriots aren’t entirely set upon a burner — but the Patriots see good value in two coincidentally speedy receivers like Jackson and Cooks. Regardless, New England is looking for players who can generate separation downfield. Cooks and Jackson can do just that.

If they were to create separation in a Patriots uniform, the opposing defense would have to dedicate significant manpower to stymie a receiver of their caliber. That could make life significantly easier for Edelman, Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell. Throw a healthy Rob Gronkowski on the field, and the Patriots have the most diverse group of pass-catchers in the NFL. Because, you can’t forget about running backs James White and Dion Lewis. Ask the Falcons about White and the Texans about Lewis.

If the Patriots can’t find the threat their looking for in free agency or by trade, they can always look to the draft for players like Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Curtis Samuel, who fits the Percy Harvin mold. But the Patriots seem to have more success adding veteran receivers, for whatever reason, and may be wise to do so again if they want an immediate impact.

Brady, who go hit 17 times in the Falcons and Texans game combined, wouldn’t mind an immediate impact from a receiver so he doesn’t have to take so much impact from defensive linemen.