Patriots take a risk, claim Michael Floyd off of waivers

The Patriots are in a good spot. They are 11-2, and hold their destiny in their hands as the playoffs approach.

But ahead of Sunday’s game against the Broncos, the depth in their receiving corps is a little thin.

With injuries abound, new names like Malcolm Mitchell, Chris Hogan and Martellus Bennett have been Tom Brady’s targets in recent weeks. On Thursday, in a risky but aggressive move, the team decided to claim former Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd off of waivers.

The fact that Floyd slipped all the way to New England on the waiver wire shows just how risky the move is, with Floyd’s availablystemming from a DUI that convinced Arizona to cut ties.

The 27-year-old hasn’t had his best year either,catching just 33 passes in 13 gamesfor 446 yards and four touchdowns. This down from at least 800 yards over the last three seasons with over 1,000 in 2013.

The Patriots are reeling with the ankle injury to Danny Amendola coming soon after the team lost the best tight end in the game, Rob Gronkowskifor the season.

If nothing else, Floyd’s potential presence on the field will help the Patriots keep their opposing defenses honest. And perhaps the incident in Arizona may spur Floyd on, and encourage a return to form.

One thing is for sure, head coach Bill Belichick will keep a close watch on his new headline-making wide receiver.