Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan are perfectly capable of holding down the fort as the Patriots’ top two receivers. But with Brandin Cooks now in Los Angeles, and with Edelman set to serve a four-game suspension to start the year – the Patriots need some significant help at the position early in the season. That is why NFL rumors Dez Bryant Demaryius Thomas Patriots are now in play.
Eric Decker has not worked out so far and looks like he’ll be cut by the team by week’s end. So as of right now, the Patriots will need some big-time play from the likes of Phillip Dorsett or Cordarrelle Patterson in the season’s early-going. It remains to be seen if either player can shoulder the load.
That’s why the Patriots remain a top potential destination for free agent Dez Bryant, and to a lesser extent Broncos star Demaryius Thomas.
Bryant has now turned down offers from both the Ravens and Browns. Baltimore offered him a $7 million per year deal earlier this year, and Cleveland reportedly offered him a deal in the neighborhood of $5 million per year. It’s now clear, however, that Bryant still has his eyes set on joining a true contender to boost his stock for free agency next March. And he now seems desperate enough to join one of the NFL’s top contenders on a DeMarcus Cousins-like prove-it contract (i.e. dirt cheap).
“Dirt cheap” always interests the Patriots, of course, and there is certainly value to be had with a player of Bryant’s caliber. Bryant also played kissy face with the Patriots organization this past week on social media, calling Tom Brady the GOAT and Bill Belichick a once in a lifetime coach.
Earlier this decade this type of move would be a no-brainer for the Patriots but they are still scarred from the Aaron Hernandez saga and have recently shied away from bringing in players with potential off-field issues.
As of today, I would say the odds of the Patriots actually signing Bryant are around 10-1. Below are more NFL rumors Dez Bryant Demaryius Thomas possibilities.
NFL rumors Dez Bryant Demaryius Thomas Patriots – One likely?
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio and Peter King discussed the Patriots issues at wide receiver and the potential of Demaryius Thomas landing in Foxboro last week.
King on NFL rumors Dez Bryant Demaryius Thomas Patriots latest: When I look at the New England offense right now, they’re going to miss Brandin Cooks a lot more than people think. I’m a huge Josh McDaniels scheme and play-calling fan. I think McDaniels and Brady are very telepathic. But last year 43 percent of the balls Tom Brady threw 20 yards down the field or farther went to Brandin Cooks. So to me when I look at the 2018 season, who’s that guy? Is he on your roster? I think a lot of people at the start of camp thought it was going to be Kenny Britt. Then Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston said, ‘you can’t make the club in the tub.’ Britt just didn’t practice enough, so he’s gone. So who is that guy? Or do the Patriots become the champions of the intermediate throws and the check downs? So we’ll see how they play it.
Florio on NFL rumors Dez Bryant Demaryius Thomas Patriots buzz: Speaking of Josh McDaniels here’s a name to keep an eye on. Now there may be nothing to this whatsoever but I’ve detected a weird sense coming out of Denver that relates to Demaryius Thomas. He’s a guy that was drafted by McDaniels. He’s a guy who could ultimately be available. Eight and a half million dollars. We’ve seen John Elway do this where he’ll squeeze a guy very very late. Maybe try to trade him. And if that fails, out he goes like TJ Ward last year. If the young receivers there like Courtland Sutton develop and Elway looks at it and says $8.5 million that’s too much. It would not shock me if a guy like Demaryius Thomas ends up joining that [Patriots] depth chart. Late in the game, but still in time to make an impact for the Patriots.
King on NFL rumors Dez Bryant Demaryius Thomas Patriots latest: Nothing would shock me at all with John Elway because he always does what Bill Belichick does. He does what he thinks is best for the team.
All that said, it’s “Bigfoot exists” unlikely that Thomas winds up in Foxboro with the Patriots. One could make the case that the Broncos’ biggest rival is still the Patriots. Elway is a highly competitive guy who would not want to just hand the Patriots a player of Thomas’ level. Also, Elway has recently been singing the praises of Thomas’ leadership and he sees Thomas as a mentor for young Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton.
Even if Elway did trade Thomas, which is unlikely on its own, the Patriots would be the last team he’d be interested in making a deal with. Below are the odds of NFL rumors Dez Bryant Demaryius Thomas Patriots taking place.
I would place the odds of Thomas landing with the Patriots this season at 150-1.
