Report: Josh Cribbs Drawing Interest From Patriots Should Wide Receiver Leave Cleveland

All signs point to Josh Cribbs‘ run in Cleveland being over, and New England has been mentioned as a possible landing place for the wideout/returner.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Patriots, along with the Giants, Cardinals, 49ers and Cowboys, have shown interest in Cribbs, who will become a free agent this week for the first time after eight seasons with the Browns. The 29-year-old would likely take the spot of Julian Edelman, another capable returner who is also expected to hit free agency.

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Though his credentials on the kickoff and punt return teams are undeniable — Cribbs is a three-time Pro Bowl returner — there is a question of how he would perform in a larger offensive role. Cribbs has tallied 20 catches or more just three times in his career, hauling in a career-high 41 in 2011. He was targeted just 11 times last season, catching a total of seven passes for 63 yards in 16 games.

But the Patriots are clearly in the market for a wide receiver this offseason, and with the guidance of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Cribbs has the potential to be a dangerous weapon in multiple facets of the game.

Thumbnail photo via Facebook/The Official Cleveland Browns