The New England Patriots are going to have a hard time filling out their depth chart at wide receiver heading into Week 1.
Eric Decker’s retirement announcement on Sunday represents the third veteran receiver to depart New England over the past month. He joins the recently-released Malcolm Mitchell and Kenny Britt as ex-Patriots.
That came on the heels of New England trading Brandin Cooks and No. 1 receiver Julian Edelman being suspended for the first four regular season games.
Linked to free agent Dez Bryant in recent weeks, this one report now suggests that the former Cowboys Pro Bowler could be in play for the Patriots.
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/1033795143479054342
In a vacuum, this would make a ton of sense. As of right now, either Cordarrelle Patterson or Phillip Dorsett would open the season as a starter opposite Chris Hogan. Whoever doesn’t win that spot would be the No. 1 slot option for the team.
Needless to say, there’s both a depth and talent issue at wide receiver for Tom Brady and Co. Bryant would almost immediately become a starter should he sign with New England.
Since being released by Dallas back in the spring, Bryant has been met with a cold free agent market. He initially turned down a multi-year offer from Baltimore before visiting with the Cleveland Browns. At this point, nothing seems imminent on that front.
It’s certainly a story to follow between now and New England’s Week 1 opener two weeks from Sunday.