Mark Daniels

Thursday

Mar 14, 2019 at 3:33 PM


As the Patriots look to restock their wide receiver position, you can add a new name the depth chart.


According to the NFL Network, the Patriots are signing Bruce Ellington to a 1-year deal. The 27-year-old is a veteran of six NFL seasons and last played for the Detroit Lions. The Patriots were hosting Ellington on Thursday before he signed his new deal.


The 5-foot-9 receiver spent last season with the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions. In four games with the Lions, he [...]

As the Patriots look to restock their wide receiver position, you can add a new name the depth chart.

According to the NFL Network, the Patriots are signing Bruce Ellington to a 1-year deal. The 27-year-old is a veteran of six NFL seasons and last played for the Detroit Lions. The Patriots were hosting Ellington on Thursday before he signed his new deal.

The 5-foot-9 receiver spent last season with the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions. In four games with the Lions, he caught 23 passes for 132 yards. A fourth-round pick in 2014, Ellington has also spent time with San Francisco and the New York Jets. His best season came in 2017 with Houston, catching 29 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns.

Last year, Ellington scored one touchdown, but it was against the Patriots in Week 1. In two career games against the Pats, Ellington has eight catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Ellington's experience in Houston's offense will give him a head start in learning the Patriots playbook since the two programs are similar. He'll also provide depth behind Julian Edelman in the slot.

He could also factor in on special teams. Ellington is an experienced kickoff and punt returner. He was the 49ers main returner for both kickoffs and punts in 2014 and 2015. He’s averaged 25.6 yards per kickoff in his career and 7.8 yards per punt returner.

Ellington is now the third receiver on the Patriots roster with NFL experience joining Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett. Josh Gordon was tendered an offer, but he's suspended and a restricted free agent. Braxton Berrios and Damoun Patterson are also on the roster.

The Pats also hosted free agent receiver Maurice Harris on Wednesday. The team had reported interest in Golden Tate, however, the veteran signed a four-year deal with the New York Giants.