Tom Brady's newly restructured contract opens many doors for the New England Patriots. It frees them up financially to go out and make a few moves in free agency when it kicks off March 12. The team has struggled to find a consistent wide receiver that fits the overall offense of the Patriots. Brady needs big weapons to complement his deadly arm. Brandon Lloyd was brought in last year after the team released Chad Johnson, but has not panned out. With Mike Wallace now becoming a free agent, New England is reportedly showing interest in the top receiver.
Lloyd is due $3 million in roster bonuses this offseason, yet he has not been able to find his place within the New England offense. He put together a disappointing 2012, catching 74 passes on 130 targets, for 911 yards and only four touchdowns. Lloyd was unable to develop any sort of chemistry with Brady, causing many broken plays. The two never looked on the same page. With the possibility of losing receiver Wes Welker in the offseason and dropping Lloyd, the Patriots will find themselves with new money to get upgrades in the position.
As a result, New England could be able to persuade Mike Wallace to join the team. Wallace is assumed out of Pittsburgh due to the team not having enough money to be able to retain him. Head coach Bill Belichick has spoken highly of Wallace, saying that his speed makes him uncatchable to a defender.
New England lacks a big vertical deep threat receiver. Lloyd never flourished into the threat the Patriots had hoped for. He is not as fast as Wallace and lacks the skill set. Pairing Wallace with Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Stevan Ridley could give the Patriots the big receiving core they have been working to build.
Belichick might opt to go the free agent market for a receiver rather than try and find someone in the draft. The team needs to work on their secondary and this year's draft is filled with talented defenders. The Patriots have been burned in the past trying to get a receiver from the draft. They were never able to develop Deion Branch.
Wallace is in the prime of his career. At 26, he has retained the speed to be the best wide receiver on the free agent market, Last season, he caught 64 passes for 836 yards and eight touchdowns. with extra money in the Patriots' pockets and Brady signed to a long-term deal, New England could look like a favorable destination for Wallace.
