The wide receiver position – and a lack of depth among a diminishing group of pass catchers – has been the talk of the summer in New England.
The offseason departures of Danny Amendola (free agent) and Brandin Cooks (trade) have been greatly compounded by the summer injuries/cuts of Malcolm Mitchell, Jordan Matthews and Kenny Britt followed by the retirement of late arrival Eric Decker.
No matter how bullish you might be on Phillip Dorsett or Cordarrelle Patterson, there just are not a lot of bodies to look to on the depth chart.
So the Boston Globe looks to the open market for an addition and breaks down how popular talking point Dez Bryant might fit in Foxborough. The Globe also has fourth-year guard Shaq Mason talking about his new $50 million extension that will keep him in New England for the next six years. The Globe notes that the Patriots got some good news on the practice field as Sony Michel and Marcus Cannon returned to work.
The Boston Herald focuses on former Packer Randall Cobb as it looks at possible outside options for the Patriots at the receiver position. The Herald notes Decker's wife, country singer Jessie James Decker, getting emotional after her husband’s retirement announcement. The Herald also writes about Mason’s big-money decision to stay put in New England. The Herald writes about Trey Flowers showing leadership early in his career.
The Providence Journal has veteran backup offensive lineman Ulrick John hoping he can settle down in New England this season. The ProJo writes that running back Brandon Bolden is as motivated as ever as he continues to try to hold onto a job with the Patriots. The ProJo has its stories on Michel’s return to practice as well as Mason’s new contract.
ESPNBoston.com has a Patriots 53-man roster projection that it admits is thin at wide receiver, actually leaving two open spots for additions via either waiver claim or trade. ESPNBoston.com also looks at potential receiver targets for New England, including familiar faces like Michael Floyd and Brandon LaFell.
ESPN reports that Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Cowboys boss Jerry Jones have retained their investments in DraftKings as the company “shifts some of its focus from daily fantasy to traditional sports betting.”
WEEI.com passes on Bill Belichick explaining Alex Guerrero’s role on the station's airwaves Monday afternoon. WEEI.com writes about the Patriots adding two running backs and a receiver to the bottom of the roster on Monday. WEEI.com has Belichick addressing the idea of the Patriots making a trade this week.
NBC Sports Boston looks at the Patriots locking up Mason for the long term.
NESN.com breaks down a hypothetical Patriots trade for Lions receiver Golden Tate.
