Receivers out there for taking
Pats must look for help
FOXBORO — Wanted: Wide receiver help.
It’s no secret the Patriots don’t have an abundance of wideouts in the stable, especially ones Tom Brady can rely on.
They’ve struck out in a number of places already. The releases of Malcolm Mitchell, Jordan Matthews, Kenny Britt and retirement of Eric Decker has left them woefully thin.
While they piece it together with Brady throwing more to his running backs and tight ends, or perhaps see someone else emerge from the group of Riley McCarron, Braxton Berrios and Devin Lucien, there’s also the possibility of them adding on via trade or free agent pick up.
Who should they target? Here’s a few names of wideouts who are either free agents, in the final years of deals, or maybe being squeezed out.
Brandon LaFell
LaFell was released by the Bengals earlier this month so he’s a free agent. The best trait he has going for him, and this can’t be undersold, is he knows the offense and has chemistry with Brady. He won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. In Super Bowl XLIX against Seattle, LaFell had four catches for 29 yards, and caught the first touchdown of the game in the 28-24 win. He’s 31, so his best days are behind him. But he might be worth a shot at this stage of the game. LaFell “loved his time” in New England, according to his agent, Jon Feinsod.
Golden Tate
This would involve a trade. He’s in the final year of a deal that pays him $7 million this season. It makes a bit of sense given Bill Belichick would be familiar with his trading partners, Lions coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn. ESPN’s Mike Reiss pitched a deal that would send defensive lineman Malcom Brown and linebacker Elandon Roberts to the Motor City in exchange for Tate. That might be a bit pricey, but Tate is just the type of guy you’d want for Brady in the Patriots offense. The 30-year-old, who won a Super Bowl with Seattle, is a terrific route-runner. He’s tough, and a perennial 90-catch, 1,000-yard receiver.
Randall Cobb
Here’s another one that would have to be hatched via the trade route. Cobb, who is 28, is in the final year of a deal with the Packers that pays him $9.5 million. This is much more of a longshot than Tate, but he’s also a very good route-runner. He has averaged about 60 catches and
600 yards a season for the Packers. Green Bay did cut Jordy Nelson, but it’s still considered a stretch.
Brandon Coleman
He’s currently a free agent. He’s 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, so yes, he’s a big outside receiver. He’s a Rutgers alum, who last played with the Saints. Last year in Week 2 against the Patriots, he had four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. That was a career best. The Patriots also saw him in joint practices two years in a row, so they have a pretty good idea about him. On Aug. 5, he was released with a failed physical designation. So he’s certainly worth checking into.
Tyrell Williams
He’s entering the final year of his contract. He had a 1,000-yard season in 2016 but will have a diminished role now that Mike Williams, the No. 7 overall pick in 2017, is healthy. The Chargers have Travis Benjamin to fill the No. 3 role, along with Keenan Allen, as their go-to No.1. So maybe the Chargers might want to get something for Williams before he becomes a free agent. He’s 6-4, 205, and the Patriots appear to want more size for their receiving corps.