Patriots rumors: 3 free agent wide receiver targets of supreme talent

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
NFL free agency Adam Humprhies (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

The New England Patriots came out in free agency with vengeance.  Not only did Bill Belichick shock the NFL landscape by signing the top two tight ends in free agency in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, but he also took care of some wide receiver needs.

In also signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, Belichick did add some talent to the wide receiver depth chart, but neither of those players are a No. 1 type receiver.

With the combo of Henry and Smith, perhaps they don’t need a true No. 1 receiver, but it appears they are still on the market for one.

Top wide receiver prize Kenny Golladay is still out there, but the Patriots don’t appear to have interest, so which three wide receivers are still out there who could further cement the wide receiver group?

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As either a No. 1 type receiver or a possible slot receiver to eventually replace Julian Edelman, here are three free agents of supreme talent who could help the New England Patriots in 2021.

New England Patriots wide receiver targets: Adam Humphries

Let’s be honest.  A 35-year-old Julian Edelman is not a reliable Julian Edelman as 2020 proved.

So, there is still a chance the New England Patriots go out and find a slot receiver replacement for Edelman and a rejuvenated Adam Humphries could be that man.

He did spurn the Patriots the last time he was a free agent to sign a deal with the Tennessee Titans, but things did go well there which led to his release prior to this free agency period.

After that 2018 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in which Humphries was targeted 106 times for 76 receptions, 816 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, his production did fizzle in Tennessee in the next two seasons to follow and that was mostly due to injury.

Just 27 years old, Humphries does have the ability to reach that 2018 production again or even flourish in a system where slot receivers shine, and New England could be that place considering how players like Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman has shined in a dink and dunk type offensive approach.

Of course, they have Tom Brady throwing them the ball.  Yes, the same quarterback Humphries pinpointed as the reason he didn’t sign with the Patriots back in 2019, claiming the age of Brady as the turnoff.

Well, Brady is gone so maybe Adam Humphries will now consider the Patriots on a cheaper deal with an opportunity to become Edelman’s replacement depending on what happens with the 35-year-old wide receiver.