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New England Patriots: Jordan Matthews another failed free agent signing

By Sam Minton

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 10: Jordan Matthews #87 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball past Buster Skrine #41 of the New York Jets during the second half on September 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 10: Jordan Matthews #87 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball past Buster Skrine #41 of the New York Jets during the second half on September 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots released Jordan Matthews on Wednesday and are now extremely thin at the wide receiver position.

By the start of the regular season, the New England Patriots may have Matthew Slater as a top wideout. The Patriots were already thin at wide receiver due to the Julien Edelman suspension, and after releasing Jordan Matthews on Wednesday, Tom Brady will have a challenge ahead of him.

The Patriots signed Matthews in April. This year was a chance for Matthews to prove that he had the skills to be a top wideout after struggling with the Buffalo Bills. Matthews only played in 10 games and had 25 catches for 282 yards and a touchdown.

With Edelman suspended and Malcolm Mitchell not fully healthy, Matthews seemed to easily have the 2nd spot on the depth chart locked up. The Patriots have had success with former Bills (Chris Hogan) so I was excited to see what Matthews could do.

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Then on Sunday there was reports that Matthews suffered a hamstring injury. When you combine significant and hamstring injury that is never good. With the Patriots releasing Matthews, it seems like he won’t be playing anytime soon.

The Patriots next move

With Matthews gone the Patriots are extremely weak at wide receiver. Cordarrelle Patterson or Braxton Berrios is your No.2 receiver if the Patriots don’t make a move. No offense to those guys, but that isn’t ideal.

Berrios and Patterson have had great camps so far, but it appears the Patriots need to make a move.

The Patriots do have some options. Eric Decker was recently in New England for a workout with the team. Decker was a star in Denver but hasn’t been the same player since he left the Broncos. I don’t believe Decker will make a big impact with the Patriots, but with the lack of depth at the position, he would be an okay pick up.

The Patriots could also sign Dez Bryant. It stuns me that Bryant hasn’t signed with a team yet. He is a very talented wide receiver who can still do some damage. The one reason Bryant wouldn’t be the greatest fit is that he is only good on the outside. Bryant isn’t suited for the slot. I would much rather have Bryant as he has a much higher upside than Decker.

Bryant has a lot to prove. When you combine that with having Tom Brady as your quarterback, Bryant could have a year to remember. Maybe he will be the next Randy Moss.

Free agents have had a rough go in New England this year

Matthews is another free agent signing that failed to make an impact this year. The Patriots signed Troy Niklas this offseason and he was released last week.

Some players just don’t fit in well with the Patriots, or an injury causes the Patriots to part ways with someone. Sadly for Matthews it was the latter.

Next. Fun is alive and well at Patriots training camp. dark

Hopefully, the next move by the Patriots will be the right one.

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