New England Patriots should sign free agent WR Jermaine Kearse

The New England Patriots should make a late free agency splash by bringing in wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.

The New England Patriots offense will certainly look a bit different in 2019. In particular, players who will be catching the ball from Tom Brady will look a lot different.

Julian Edelman will be Brady’s number one target out of the slot and Phillip Dorsett will be a familiar face on the outside. However, depending on what happens with Josh Gordon, the Patriots may not have another returning player at the wide receiver or tight end position.

First-round rookie N’Keal Harry should make an impact, as could veterans like Demaryius Thomas, Dontrelle Inman, Ben Watson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Matt LaCosse. That being said, there is still plenty of room for competition in this wide receiver group and free agent Jermaine Kearse would be a strong addition to the mix.

Kearse is not the most physically gifted wide receiver, but he is an incredibly smart and dependable target who can make a difference on the field. He has shown the ability to make plays both on the outside and out of the slot in the past and is a smart route runner who knows how to find open space.

The New England Patriots love versatility more than any other team in the NFL and would undoubtedly find a place for Kearse to compete. Plus, new receivers always have a hard time adjusting to Brady and the Patriots’ offense. A smart veteran receiver like Kearse would have a better chance to pick up the offense than most.

Simply put, the New England Patriots could use another capable body or two in the wide receiver room. As things stand now, Brady is going to be throwing to mostly unfamiliar and unreliable targets.

Adding Kearse to the mix would at least bring some stability to the position. He is a talented player who the Patriots could count on to learn the playbook and make plays in the passing game.