The New England Patriots are reportedly trying to trade receiver Danny Amendola. New England is also considering releasing Amendola if a trade isn't found before the start of free agency, according to Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report.
Amendola failed to produce like the Patriots had hoped for when they signed him last offseason to replace ex-Patriots receiver Wes Welker. Amendola missed four games and accounted for 633 yards and just two touchdowns, which reportedly has him unlikely to return to New England.
"NFL teams say the name of Danny Amendola has been floated in trade talks," Pompei wrote on Friday. "The Patriots signed the wide receiver to a five-year, $28.5 million contract last offseason, but Amendola struggled to stay healthy and did not have the kind of impact the team envisioned him having. ...
"There has been speculation the Patriots could cut Amendola if a deal cannot be worked out."
Cutting Amendola and making him a June 2 designation before 4 p.m. on March 11 would create $2.88 million in salary cap room, according to NESN. If the Patriots were to trade Amendola, their cap space would take a $645,000 hit.
Additional cap room would help New England procure another receiver in free agency, where a number of talented pass-catchers are expected to be on the market. Possible free agents include Hakeem Nicks (NYG), Danario Alexander (SD), Kenny Britt (TEN), James Jones (GB) and Emmanuel Sanders (PIT).
Receiver is a key position the Patriots must address in either free agency or the draft. New England struggled last season with a depleted receiving group, and Julian Edelman, the Patriots' leading receiver in 2013, is eligible to become a free agent in March.
