Patriots: 3 players Pats should consider signing after surprising releases

Here are three players the Patriots should consider signing following the roster deadline.

The NFL’s annual roster deadline came and went, and the New England Patriots were as busy as any team in the league, shaving theirs down from 77 to 53 players.

Though most of the moves were expected, some were entirely surprising, like relegating both Nick Folk and Justin Rohrwasser to the practice squad.

And, oh yeah, they cut Mohamed Sanu. Right!

As is the case each year, general manager Bill Belichick will have plenty of opportunities to pounce on players that were shockingly cut by their respective organizations. Though the rules and regulations surrounding waiver claims and who specifically becomes a free agent after getting axed have changed a bit with the temporary rule change, you’d better believe that the six-time champion will be on top of his game in the coming days.

With that in mind, let’s highlight a few players who recently hit the open market that the Patriots should seriously consider signing.

3. Laquon Treadwell

Doesn’t Laquon Treadwell have all the makings of a Belichick project? The former No. 23 overall pick managed just 65 receptions for 701 yards and two touchdowns in four seasons with Minnesota. As anticipated, the Vikings declined the five-year option on his rookie contract and let him walk after he was a healthy scratch in the team’s playoff win over New Orleans in 2019.

Treadwell landed on his feet with Atlanta at the start of the offseason in March, but he ultimately failed to make the final roster. As much of a bust the Ole Miss product has been since taking the college level by storm with the Rebels, he’s still just 25 years old.

We’re not saying he would be a lock to carve out a role in New England, but he has to be motivated to remove the dreaded “b” word from his resume, right? The Patriots’ receiving corps is extremely short on depth/talent behind obvious No. 1 option Julian Edelman, so Belichick should definitely consider bringing him in for a workout. Honestly, what’s the worst that could happen?