Patriots add Demaryius Thomas to thin receiving corps
The New England Patriots added some veteran depth at wide receiver on Tuesday.
The team announced that it has agreed to a deal with Demaryius Thomas, a longtime member of the Denver Broncos. The one-year contract is worth up to $6 million, per NFL Network.
In New England, Thomas will reunite with Josh McDaniels, the head coach who drafted him out of Georgia Tech back in 2010. McDaniels is in his second stint as New England’s offensive coordinator.
Thomas, who visited the Pats last week, had some big years with the Broncos, including a span of five straight seasons with at least 90 catches and 1,000 yards. Overall, the 31-year-old Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowler, has 688 catches for 9,330 yards and 62 touchdowns in his career.
Last season, Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans at the trade deadline before suffering an Achilles injury in Week 15. Before the Texans landed Thomas’ services, the Patriots reportedly were in the mix to acquire him. Now the team has done so without giving up a draft pick.
While it’s unknown where he is in his recovery process, Thomas brings a reliable presence to a receiving group that has lost Rob Gronkowski to retirement and Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson to free agency while Josh Gordon remains suspended. Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett are the team’s top returning wideouts.
Thomas was arrested in February and charged with felony vehicular assault. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor careless driving charge on March 27 and given community service and one year of probation. The felony charge was dismissed.
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