Patriots Sign Rival AFC East Wide Receiver

The New England Patriots made another move to sign a talented wide receiver. Head coach Bill Belichick is trying new players, hoping to fix the damage players made in the offseason. According to several sources, Lynn Bowden Jr. has just joined the Patriots practice squad. Field Yates confirmed the signing, too.

The Patriots are signing former Raiders and Dolphins WR Lynn Bowden, Jr. to their practice squad, per source.

He was one of the most versatile players in the country during his time at Kentucky and a 2020 third-round pick.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 1, 2022

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Bowden in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. They didn’t keep him in Las Vegas and traded him to the Miami Dolphins. The talented wide receiver sustained injury and missed the entire 2021 NFL season due to a hamstring injuries.

Patriots sign talented receiver with great production in college

Bowden was brilliant in college. He had 114 passes for 1,303 yards while rushing for 1,468 yards on 206 carries. In his time as a wildcat, Bowden threw for 495 yards in three seasons. In his final college year, Bowden won the Paul Hornung Award.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said Bowden would be a third-round selection, saying he is both versatile and limited.

“He might require a plan to maximize his value,” Zierlein wrote prior to the 2020 NFL Draft. “While he’s a slot receiver by position, creative play-callers can use him as a zone-read quarterback and as a gadget receiver for jet sweeps and a variety of short catch-and-run screens. He’s not overly sudden or explosive and some teams may want him to prove he can be more than a glorified running back. He’s instinctive, highly competitive and makes big plays. His development as a receiver was slowed due to his move to quarterback in 2019, but his return talent and versatility gives him a chance to contribute immediately as he waits to become a starting slot.”

The Patriots are entering a challenging season. They have some holes to fill and some damage to repair. Belichick trimmed his roster and he may make a move or two before the start of the regular season. New England lost the game to the Raiders and this loss threw shade at their offense. NFL analysts have some concerns, but Belichick is confident about his players.