The New England Patriots have apparently looked through the free agent market of wide receivers and determined that retaining Julian Edelman is their best option. The wide receiver had a breakout season at the hands of Tom Brady and led the entire receiver's corps in yards and touchdowns. Edelman is looking for a pay day in free agency and the Patriots are hoping to give it to him.
According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the Patriots are pushing negotiations with Edelman as free agency carries on. Several teams have taken interest in the wide receiver after he put up 1,056 yards and six touchdowns in a career-high year. His stock has never been hire and after working off a bare-minimum contract last season, he would like some money in his pocket.
The Patriots are being conservative with the deals they are handing out. While the Darrelle Revis signing may have looked like a major move, they only gave to cornerback a one-year deal at $12 million. Revis is one of the top cornerback's in the league and they forced him to take a pay cut from what he was earning with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New England cannot afford to be cheap when it comes to wide receivers. After losing Wes Welker and handing out money to the injured Danny Amendola, their offense suffered. The team needs offensive help since 2013 proved Brady can only do so much.
Edelman is taking multiple visits in free agency to teams that are ready to give him a lot of cash. He is visiting the San Francisco 49ers on Friday and the Cleveland Browns will likely fly him out as well. The Patriots want Edelman over other free agents, but if they give him another cheap deal, he will not be back.
If New England does not retain Edelman, there are some options for the team, but again no one that will take a cheaper deal. Emmanuel Sanders is still an option for the team. New England had interest in him last offseason, but was outbid by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jason Avant and Brandon LaFell have come to visit, but they will not put up the numbers that Edelman did. Steve Smith is also an option, but not someone that fits into the long-term plan. The Patriots should give Edelman what he wants and worry about cap space later.
