Share All of the Patriots' 2021 NFL free agency options, including defensive lineman Beau Allen and wide receiver Marqise Lee, have allegedly been dismissed. Since the start of the permissible tampering period on Monday, the New England Patriots have been among the more active clubs in the league. They're set to face off against their former players in a series of exhibitions this spring.
The Patriots have not issued any 2020 draft picks but did trade the 16th overall selection in the 2019 draft to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the 21st pick. Defensive end Beau Allen and wide receiver Marqise Lee are among the notable names who will be looking for work elsewhere this offseason. Allen had 9 1/2 sacks last season while playing most of 2019 out of retirement. Lee caught 81 passes for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018 before suffering a torn ACL early in 2019. He was expected to be ready for the start of training camp this year.
The Patriots have not made any moves this month available for contract extensions but may have some news regarding Tom Brady's future with them. The three-time MVP is entering his 18th season with the team and is coming off another successful campaign where he threw for 4,057 yards and 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. He also ran for seven scores last season.
The Patriots signed wide receiver David Patten, who had been with the team from 2001 to 2004, but had missed the 2009 season due to injury. He returned to action on September 13, 2010 in a 20-7 loss to the Dolphins and caught two passes for 16 yards.
Patten played college football at Eastern Michigan University and was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Jets, catching 42 passes for 710 yards and four touchdowns before being traded to the Patriots in 2004. In New England, he started 11 games that year and recorded 41 catches for 549 yards and five touchdowns.
Patten left the Patriots after the 2005 season and joined his former coach Jim Fassel with the New York Giants where he played one season before being released. He finished his NFL career with 175 receptions for 2,527 yards and 14 touchdowns across 77 games (all starts).
After ending his NFL career, Patten went back to school to get his degree in sports management. He currently works as an assistant coach for the University of Detroit Mercy Titans football team.
He is the brother of former NFL player Chris Patten.
The Patriots of New England are a professional American football team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the American Football Conference (AFC). The team is owned by Robert Kraft, who also owns MLS club New England Revolution and National Hockey League club New York Krafts.
They have won 17 NFL championships including 14 straight from 1972 to 1993 and most recently in 2014. The Patriots are considered one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
New England has had 12 players win the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award, more than any other city. These players include Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Drew Bledsoe, Tony Eason, Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Malcolm Butler.
Belichick and Brady are two of only four coaches to lead their teams to victory in the first three games of a season. The others are Landry Holgerson and Don Shula.
Patriots fans are called "Pats fans", or simply "Fans".
The Patriots organization is headquartered in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Complete list of Patriots NFL Draft choices in 2021 The New England Patriots presently have nine selections in the 2021 NFL Draft, which will be held from April 29 to May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio. The first round will be held on Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m. ET. The second round will follow at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, April 25. The third round will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. And the final two rounds will be held on Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET, respectively.
The Patriots have now drafted eight players in the first three rounds over the last three years: quarterback Drew Bledsoe (1st), defensive ends Adalius Thomas (2nd) and Trey Flowers (3rd), running back James White (3rd), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (4th), safety Devin McCourty (5th), offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn (6th), and guard Joe Thuney (6th).
Additionally, the Patriots have two seventh-round picks in 2021. They won't be eligible for another pick until 2022 when they'll have two seconds-round picks.
Wes Welker entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, signing with the Miami Dolphins. As a rookie, he played for both the Dolphins and the Chargers, but he failed to make an impression with either team. Welker joined the Patriots in 2007 and quickly established himself as a key weapon for standout quarterback Tom Brady. In 2008, he recorded his first 1,000-yard season, finishing with 1,042 yards from scrimmage. He had three touchdowns during the season.
Welker signed a five-year, $45 million contract with New England after last season. The deal included $12 million guaranteed. He'll be going up against former teammate Deion Branch on Monday nights from now on.
Branch was released by the Patriots this past February after seven seasons with the team. During that time, he finished as the top receiver in New England with 901 catches for 11,419 yards and 69 touchdowns. He also returned kicks during his time with New England.
Welker has all the tools to be successful in Bill Belichick's offense. He's quick and fast enough to get downfield, can go over the middle, and is good at getting open against coverage. He'll be a huge asset to the Patriots' passing game this season and especially during Monday Night Football games.
He's the second Texan on the Patriots roster, behind only linebacker and future Hall of Famer Bobby Jean.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc.
