If the New England Patriots are going to improve their wide receivers corps, they need to get a move on it. Eric Decker is officially off the market. Jacoby Jones re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens. If New England is not careful, most of the affordable, productive options will be swept up by the end of the week, leaving them with nothing outside of Danny Amendola.
According to the Boston Globe, re-signing Julian Edelman is still a viable option for New England. NFL sources report the team is continuing negotiations with the wide receiver and keeping an eye on the market while trying to work out a return. It had been assumed that the Patriots would simply let the wide receiver walk away in free agency, but the sides are remaining in contact as the offseason continues.
Edelman had a breakout season in his fifth year. He led the receivers with 1,056 yards and six touchdowns and is now hoping to capitalize on his efforts. After playing on a one-year, minimum contract, Edelman wants a pay raise and New England is still considering giving it to him.
Interest surrounding the receiver has been somewhat quiet. As of now, the Cleveland Browns appear to be the leader after Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that quarterback Brian Hoyer was trying to recruit the wide receiver. If Edelman stays unsigned through the week, he could find himself back with Tom Brady and company.
The Patriots are not putting all their eggs in the Edelman basket, hoping the receiver returns. They are watching the market very carefully before making a decision. Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com reported that former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant visited the Patriots on Wednesday. The veteran had 447 yards and two touchdowns last year as a rotational player with limited options. Fans might be disappointed considering those numbers are near what Edelman had.
Jason La Canfora reports that the Patriots are also considering Hakeem Nicks as an option if he remains unsigned for a little longer. Nicks is likely going to command the most money of the wide receivers available. The former New York Giants star is certainly a threat when healthy, but that does not happen much. The Patriots might be interested, but the two sides could struggle to come to an agreement.
Emmanuel Sanders is still an option. The team was targeting him last season and actually placed an offer on the table before the Pittsburgh Steelers countered it. Sanders has already taken multiple visits in the first two days of free agency and the Patriots were not one of them.
