The New England Patriots are heading into the offseason after another AFC championship game appearance and rumors have the team looking into a Danny Amendola trade and with that come a number of wide receiver options in free agency, including names like Jason Avant, Sidney Rice, James Jones, Emmanuel Sanders and James Jones as potential targets.
The Patriots got some nice production from their rookies last season at wide receiver, but they can't go through another year of only those players at the position and with Danny Amendola injured on and off and Julian Edelman possibly leaving as a free agent, the team needs some backup plans. The free agent list has names like Hakeem Nicks, Eric Decker and Golden Tate on the market, but the Pats are likely in play for the next level of receivers, including Sidney Rice, James Jones, Emmanuel Sanders and now Jason Avant after he was released by the Eagles.
According to ESPN.com, the Patriots could look at Avant as a possible option, as he has a veteran presence in the locker room and based on the quotes coming out of Philly, he appears to be a high character player and a leader and that could be just what the position needs. Avant could be the perfect player to take Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce and Kenbrell Thompkins under his wing and that could be very valuable for the Patriots. Avant is more of a possession guy and won't put up Edelman or Wes Welker numbers, but his value can come through in many other ways.
At 6-foot, 212-pounds, Avant won't be a red zone threat, but he could be like a Troy Brown type and he had 38 catches last season for 447 yards and two touchdowns and he could be that perfect cheap option for the Pats. Sidney Rice was released by the Seahawks and coming off of an injury he fits into that same wheelhouse and he could be an option for the team as well.
Amerndola's situation is interesting, as he was brought in on a five year contract to make up for the loss of Wes Welker. After playing in the first game against Buffalo he missed four the rest of the season and while he was solid with 54 catches and 633 yards, that wasn't the production the Pats were looking for and now CBS Sports is reporting that the team has shopped him in trades. Amendola has a $4.575 million cap number next season and while the team could cut him, that would leave the Pats with nearly $7 million in dead money and they don't want that.
Edelman had over 100 catches and if he leaves for another team, that puts pressure on the Pats to add some more players at the position. The draft this year is deep with names like Mike Evans and Marqise Lee, but after spending three picks last season, the team may avoid WR. Thompkins and Dobson were the best rookies of the group and adding a player like Avant could be very beneficial for both players and the Patriots.
