Bill Belichick explained during his conference call Friday morning that there would be plenty of roster movement over the first month of the season. Less than an hour later, it appears that his team made one already.
According to the Boston Globe, the Patriots are trading safety Jordan Richards to the Atlanta Falcons for a conditional draft pick.
Richards has struggled mightily on defense during his first three seasons in the league after being selected in the second round out of Stanford back in 2015. The personable safety has been a stalwart on special teams, however, and his presence as a core four member in the kicking game appeared to have his roster spot safe once again.
But he joined veteran Jason McCourty on the back end to open Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants while most players whose spot were secure watched from the sideline.
Richards started seven of 41 games in his three seasons with New England, recording 42 tackles and forcing a pair of fumbles.
