It didn’t happen on Day 1 of NFL free agency.
Or Day 2 or Day 3.
But the New England Patriots have reloaded their wide receiving corps, a certain position of need going into the offseason.
In perhaps one of the biggest bargains of NFL free agency, they locked up Brandon Lloyd for three years and roughly $12 million. There’s the deep threat they’ve lacked since Randy Moss left.
Lloyd’s last two seasons in the NFL have been noteworthy for two reasons: 1. He’s totaled 2,414 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. 2. He’s done most of that damage under the coaching of now current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Lloyd can stretch the field and open things up inside for the likes of Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, and again, in an offseason where Pierre Garcon got a five-year, $42 million contract, Lloyd is an absolute steal — not to mention a huge upgrade over Deion Branch and Chad Ochocinco.
But the Patriots weren’t done. They went out and signed former Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez to a one-year deal, and then on Monday signed Donte’ Stallworth.
Stallworth was part of the Patriots’ historic 2007 team (again, with Josh McDaniels here), totaling 697 yards on 46 catches with three touchdowns. After three dismal seasons on the Browns, Ravens, and Redskins, Stallworth is undoubtedly in the best position he’s been in since leaving the team.
The Patriots also addressed their extreme need for a tight end (kidding). By signing veteran TE Daniel Fells from the Broncos, the Patriots bring on a third tight end they didn’t have last season. That will provide not only blocking help when need be, but allow Aaron Hernandez to show his versatility lining up as a wide receiver at times.
So what does this mean for the Patriots? Well, an already stellar offense just got that much better. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the NFL is all about passing now, and with Tom Brady at quarterback and a restocked set of receiving options, the Patriots should again be one of the best offenses in the NFL.
The Patriots went 18-1 in Stallworth’s only season with the team. This season’s offensive production should be similar, but its outcome is to be determined.
