Patriots tempted to offload pair to free up cap space.
Despite being one of the premiere slot receivers in the game and Tom Brady’s favourite target, the New England Patriots are reportedly looking to cut Wes Walker, along with 2012 trade acquisition Brandon Lloyd, in order to go after a big name receiver this offseason, according to csnne.com.
If the Patriots put the Franchise tag on Welker again, they would have to pay him $11.4m for the year, $2m more than last year, and is something of an expensive deal for a one-year deal.
Unless they work something out soon, it will seem to be set that Welker will hit the free-agent market, where he can demand whatever sum of money he wants, due to his high productivity in the Patriots system.
With Quarterback Tom Brady taking up $21.8m of the $131m Salary Cap for 2013, cuts had to be made elsewhere, and brandon Lloyd may be another one who will be expendable.
Having been brought in to stretch the defence downfield, Lloyd never reached his potential and his production as an elite receiver failed to impress the coaches in New England.
With his contract to amount $4.5m in 2013, the Patriots will look to a cheaper option, who can make an immediate impact for the team.
The Patriots have never had a set of receivers who scare defences, but they have been brought in to fit the system and skills to compliment Brady and the offence, so they will always look for the cheaper options, who are better suited than big names who may not be right at all for the team.
Splashing out on a receiver like Greg Jennings or Mike Wallace is a possibility and it would instantly upgrade their already impressive passing attack, however they wouldn’t come cheap, which is something the Patriots will have to work carefully on this Summer.
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