Report: Patriots signing WR Demaryius Thomas
The Patriots are adding a veteran wideout to their group.
Sep 9, 2018; Denver, CO: Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Ron Chenoy/USA TODAYAn early April meeting with Demaryius Thomas went well enough for the New England Patriots to make a move, as they are indeed signing the veteran wide receiver to a contract, according to ESPN's Field Yates.
A 6-foot-3 threat, Thomas is coming off a 59-catch, 677-yard season split between the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, and comes to the Patriots while recovering from a significant Achilles injury suffered in a Dec. 23 game for the Texans.
That injury likely made Thomas a perfect low-risk, high-reward addition for the Patriots, as his rehab and uncertainty at 31 years old will almost certainly keep the Patriots from any sort of significant financial commitment on this contract.
Familiar with Josh McDaniels from their time together in Denver, Thomas posted six straight seasons of at least 80 catches, 900 yards, and five touchdowns as a Bronco from 2012 through 2017, and certainly adds some experience to a New England receiving group short on much of anything outside of Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett.
With Thomas joining the Pats, New England's receiving group now features Edelman, Dorsett, Thomas, Maurice Harris, Bruce Ellington, and Braxton Berrios. Josh Gordon, meanwhile, is still with the organization, but is suspended indefinitely.
Thomas' deal with the Patriots could be worth up to $6 million, according to Ian Rapoport.
