Even by bringing Julian Edelman back and adding Brandon LaFell, the Patriots probably aren’t done adding bodies at receiver. They still brought in former Titan Kenny Britt for a visit on Monday, a source told the Globe, and have checked out names such as Jason Avant and Lance Moore in the past week.
Edelman is a roster lock, while Danny Amendola, who just had $2 million in base salary guaranteed last week, and Aaron Dobson, last year’s second-round pick, should be safe, while LaFell (6-2, 210) gives the Patriots a big presence in the slot.
Meanwhile, it looks like the Patriots want to hold a derby for the fifth receiver spot between fourth-round pick Josh Boyce, who was inactive for seven games and only caught nine passes last year, undrafted rookie Kenbrell Thompkins, who did not catch a pass in the team’s final six games of the season, a veteran such as Britt, and perhaps a few rookies.
It's interesting that beat writer Ben Volin believes that LaFell will play in the slot, even with Edelman and Amendola in the fold. Dobson is coming off of foot surgery, but figures to start outside if he's healthy. It sounds as if Thompkins or Boyce may be on the chopping block if the team adds another receiver in free agency or the draft.