New England Patriots Release Veteran Wide Receiver

The New England Patriots made a few changes to the roster, and added a bunch of great prospects during the 2019 NFL Draft. The Patriots have now released a veteran wide receiver.

Bruce Ellington’s career with the Patriots ended long before it started. The Patriots released him on Wednesday after signing him to a one-year deal in mid-March.

Ellington is a fourth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers back in 2014 out of South Carolina. He split his time during the 2018 campaign with the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions. The receiver was released by the Texans in late October after ending up on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. The Lions picked him up later. Ellington played in four games with the Lions, and had great numbers. He totaled 23 receptions on 30 targets for 132 yards.

During his 44 games, Ellington totaled 79 receptions for 769 yards and five scores.

The Patriots considered Ellington as a depth piece. They needed more receivers on the roster, and Ellington was the right person to fill the position.

However, the team has added N’Keal Harry and other players to the roster during the NFL Draft. In other words, Ellington wasn’t necessary. The depth chart in New England consists of Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, Braxton Berrios, Demaryius Thomas, Maurice Harris, Damoun Patterson, Jakobi Meyers, Ryan David and Xavier Ubosi. 

The Patriots made enough room for former Broncos offensive tackle Jared Veldheer. He will probably ink a one-year deal worth $6.5 million. The team waits for the right time and that will probably happen after the NFL’s deadline of free agent signings counting against the compensatory pick formula.

The 6-foot-8, 321 pounder is a third-round pick of the Raiders in 2010 out of Hillsdale. He was left tackle in the first four years of his career with the Raiders. He signed a five-year deal with the Cardinals and was moved to right tackle in 2017 after ending up on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. Veldheer was traded to the Broncos last offseason and started 12 games at right tackle before suffering a knee injury.

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