New England Patriots Rumors: 2019 offseason targets at wide receiver
By Mike Caliri
Free Agent targets
Golden Tate should be the New England Patriots top target on the free agent market.
Tate, who was discussed as a possible trade target at last season’s trade deadline, would seemingly fit in well with what the Patriots do on offense. He is reliable, talented and would compliment Julian Edelman’s game well.
Tate’s projected market value is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10.2 million, but you know what you’re getting with him. Tate in 2018 had 74 receptions for 795 yards (10.7 YDS/REC) and four touchdowns.
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Another slot receiver, Adam Humphries, could be an excellent option for them. Coming off his best season, Humphries will be expected to be in for a big pay day. His projected market value is around $10.4 million.
A quick look at his 2018 stats shows that he is quite comparable to Tate on paper. Humphries in 2018 had 76 receptions for 816 yards (10.7 YDS/REC) and five touchdowns.
Humphries is a better option if the Patriots want to go young (He is 26 and Tate is 31). With a relatively older roster this might be the right move especially with Humphries seemingly entering his prime. Although Tate’s toughness on the field is a desirable characteristic that sets him apart.
Demaryius Thomas is an attractive option for the Patriots if they want to add a veteran to their receiving core. His age and dip in production will bring his market value down some and the Patriots love finding value wherever they can.
Some solid guys for under a million bucks include Jamison Crowder from the Redskins, Jordan Mathews from Philadelphia and Breshad Perriman from the Browns, which could be nice cheap pieces to round off the receiving core.
Danny Amendola is most likely to be cut from the Miami Dolphins and would provide chemistry and knowledge of the system right off the bat, but his contract may be a little high and his comments about Belichick on his way out the door may have burned that bridge. It is still nice to think about the possibility of Amendola returning.
If the New England Patriots could have Julian Edelman, Golden Tate, Phillip Dorsett and two of the three guys I mentioned for under a million bucks, then I think they would be fine. To be more than fine, they should make a trade for a big name.
Free agency begins on March 13 at 4:00 pm est.