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Patriots: What are the options at wide receiver this offseason?

By Mike Caliri

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Golden Tate #19 of the Philadelphia Eagles stands during the national anthen before taking on the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Golden Tate #19 of the Philadelphia Eagles stands during the national anthen before taking on the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Golden Tate #19 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Golden Tate #19 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Explore adding new options in free agency

Golden Tate should be the Patriots’ top target on the free agent market. Tate, who was discussed as a possible target at last season’s trade deadline, would seemingly fit in well with what the Patriots do on offense. He is reliable, talented, and would complement Julian Edelman’s game as well.

Tate is projected to get about $10.2 million on the market, but you know what you’re getting with him. In 2018, he had 74 receptions for 795 yards (10.7 YDS/REC) and four touchdowns.

If the Pats want to look elsewhere, another option could be Tampa Bay Buccaneers slot receiver Adam Humphries. Humphries is coming off a breakout season, and a quick look at his stats shows that he was quite comparable to Tate in 2018. He had 76 receptions for 816 yards (10.7 YDS/REC) and five touchdowns.

If the Patriots want to go younger than Tate, who is 31, the 26-year old-Humphries might be a great option. The latter is clearly on the upswing, and presumably just now entering his prime.

Demaryius Thomas is an attractive option if the Patriots are more in the market for an outside receiver or ‘X’ type. His age and dip in production last season could translate to a drop in overall value as well, but he is at least a proven veteran who could theoretically help open up the Patriot passing game even wider by stretching the field.

Some other solid guys for under a million bucks include Jamison Crowder from the Washington Redskins, Jordan Mathews from the Philadelphia Eagles, and Breshad Perriman from the Cleveland Browns. All three of those players could be nice cheap pieces to round out the receiving corps.

Danny Amendola is likely to be cut from the Miami Dolphins. The ex-Pat would provide chemistry and knowledge of the system right off the bat; but his contract may be a little high, and his negative comments about Bill Belichick on his way out of New England may have burned that bridge. Still, most fans would welcome Amendola back with open arms.

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