by Jordan Long
The New England Patriots are preparing to take on the Carolina Panthers on Friday. The Patriots may consider adding free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant to the team. This would add another wide receiver for quarterback Tom Brady to throw the football to.
The Patriots receiving core includes Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan. Edelman is the top wide receiver. He has the speed to be open and Brady finds him. Edelman will be missed as he is suspended for 4 games for PED use.
Hogan takes pressure off Edelman. If Edelman is covered, Brady looks for Hogan. His receptions are for 1st downs or longer. Hogan will be the #1 wide receiver option while Edelman sits. They also have Eric Decker who will see action during Edelman’s suspension. Decker adds another veteran for Brady to fling the ball too. They hope he can contribute more than he did last year with the Titans assuming he makes the team. Decker recorded 563 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
Kenny Britt is the only other receiver Brady can trust. He has 10 years of NFL experience and this is his 2nd season in New England. Britt recorded 5,137 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns in his career to this point. His average yards per catch is an impressive 15.6 yards.
After Edelman, Hogan, and Britt the core is weak. The Patriots should add Dez Bryant. Bryant is a target Brady can trust. Bryant has the speed to breakaway from the defensive backs and be open for passes. Brady will be able to toss him the football and those gains will be for 1st downs or longer. He averages 14 yards per catch. The Patriots wouldn’t have to worry about the wide receiver core when Edelman is out.
When Edelman returns to action, Hogan and Bryant would be the outside receivers. Edelman with his quickness and size is the slot receiver. This gives Brady more options to throw the football.
Bryant wants to play football. The only downside of the Patriots adding Bryant is his contract. He was paid $17 million last year with the Cowboys. The Patriots history is not to overpay for veterans. He may want a contract that pays $10 million this year. That might be too high of an asking price for the Patriots. The Patriots will need someone to help this offense and it could be Bryant.
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