Phillip Dorsett reportedly garnering major interest in free agency
New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett has reportedly locked down a number of meetings with interested free agency suitors this week.
One of the least inspiring members in an uninspiring group of receivers last season for the New England Patriots has still managed to find a way to inspire other NFL teams this spring.
Good for Phillip Dorsett.
Entering his sixth season as a pro, the 27-year-old former first-round draft pick has never lived up to the hype and expectations that surrounded him when the Indianapolis Colts made him the 29th overall draft pick back in 2015. Nevertheless, the former Miami Hurricane has managed to carve out a niche role for himself over the years.
He had less than 60 total receptions and 800 total yards over the course of his first two seasons with the Colts — not to mention he hauled in just one score as a rookie and just two touchdowns in his sophomore effort.
The Patriots saw enough to kick the tires on him though, and at the beginning of the 2017 season, New England traded third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett to Indy for Dorsett.
So far at least, it would appear the Colts got the better end of that deal. The Patriots are staring into the void right now at quarterback — Jimmy Garoppolo is in San Francisco with the NFC champion 49ers and Tom Brady could be headed elsewhere in free agency — while Brissett remains (at least for the moment) the starts in Indianapolis thanks to Andrew Luck’s surprise retirement last fall.
Dorsett was good if not great over three seasons thus far with the Pats. He’s averaged 24 receptions for 293 yards a year since arriving in New England. While he didn’t score in 2017, he did have three touchdowns in 2018 and then he had a career-high five touchdowns last year, so there’s that.
Evidently it’s enough to draw interest from a large group of suitors at the NFL combine. According to NBC Sports Boston’s Nick Goss, Dorsett’s camp has already set up meetings with “multiple teams” based off the initial reports.
Next. Patriots seem more likely to chase free agent TE than WR. dark
To be fair, Dorsett also tested the waters of free agency this time last year before ultimately agreeing to a one-year deal to remain with the Pats. That being said, he didn’t have nearly as much buzz last year as he does this year — plus, the uncertainty at quarterback with Brady could be a determining factor in where Dorsett wants to play in 2020.