The New England Patriots have expressed interest in Rishard Matthews, one of the top free-agent wide receivers entering the open market, a source told NESN.com on Wednesday.
The Patriots contacted Matthews during the “legal tampering” period, which began Monday at noon. NFL free agency officially opens Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Matthews caught 43 passes for 662 yards with four touchdowns last season with the Miami Dolphins. He has 107 catches for 1,396 yards with eight scores since entering the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick out of Nevada in 2012.
Matthews has 21 catches for 236 yards in seven games against the Patriots.
The Patriots have wide receivers Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Keshawn Martin, Aaron Dobson, Chris Harper and Matthew Slater under contract for the 2016 season. Their need for a starting-caliber wide receiver increased when they released Brandon LaFell last week.
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Innerarity/USA TODAY Sports Images
