Musket Fire
FanSided

Few Remaining Options at WR for Patriots

By Jaydeen Allen

Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (right) with owner Robert Kraft before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (right) with owner Robert Kraft before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The new NFL calendar year kicked off yesterday, and what better way to do it than with free agency. There have been big moves such as former Denver Broncos’ DE Malik Jackson signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars or former Cincinnati Bengals’ WR Marvin Jones signing with the Detroit Lions.

The New England Patriots on the other hand, have been fairly quiet.

It’s only the second day of free agency, and already a lot of Patriots fans are anxious and disappointed that their team hasn’t made big splashes like the Jaguars or the Tennessee Titans.

If you believed for a second that Bill Belichick was going bring in huge name players to Foxboro on cheap deals, you’ve got another thing coming.

The NFL is a business, and if most players don’t feel like they are being offered enough, they will simply run to the team that if offering them more. It’s a fact. 

But of course, with the majority of the big names off the board, that leaves solid players left to choose from – Belichick’s favourites.

Here are some remaining options at wide receiver the Patriots could be looking at:

Dec 27, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) catches a pass as Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deji Olatoye (29) defends during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) catches a pass as Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deji Olatoye (29) defends during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Hogan (Buffalo Bills) – The 27-year-old receiver has made the trip to Foxboro and could sign with the Patriots, with the Bills unlikely to match the low tender due to cap restrictions. Hogan last season had 7 receptions and 106 yards in two games combined.

2015 season totals – 36 RECs/59 TGTs 450 YDS  2TDs

Anquan Boldin (San Francisco 49ers) – With the 49ers likely in rebuild mode with new head coach Chip Kelly, Boldin could look to join another team. At 35 years old, with great size, great hands, and physicality, he could prove to be a solid veteran option on the outside.

2015 season totals – 69 RECs/110 TGTs 789 YDs 4TDs

James Jones (Green Bay Packers) – After Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in the pre-season, the Packers brought Jones back to the Frozen Tundra. Reuniting with his former quarterback, Jones still put up good numbers in an offense that struggled most of the season.

2015 season totals – 50 RECs/100 TGTs  890 YDs 8TDs

Jeremy Kerley (New York Jets) – Always known as being a thorn in the Patriots’ backside, Kerley was released by the Jets just before free agency. In the New England system, Kerley could prove to be a solid option behind Danny Amendola.

2015 season totals – 16 RECs/26 TGTs 152 YDs  2TDs

Rod Streater (Oakland Raiders) – The former Raiders receiver had one catch for the entire 2015 season and is still trying to recover from a broken foot that impacted both his 2014 season and his 2015 season.

There may not many options left on the market, but there are still wide receivers that could fill in the role that was left behind by Brandon LaFell and more. It’s likely the Patriots go to the draft to add one or two more receivers, so it isn’t a huge deal that the Patriots’ narrowly missed out on Rishard Matthews or Mohammed Sanu.

In other words, like the great Aaron Rodgers’ said, R-E-L-A-X.

Home/Patriots Free Agency