The New England Patriots have filled their offseason-trade quota for the next three years.
The Patriots acquired wide receiver Jalen Saunders in a trade with the New Orleans Saints for a conditional draft pick, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Saunders was selected by the New York Jets as a fourth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2014. He was released by the Jets on Sept. 29 and spent time on the Arizona Cardinals’ and Seattle Seahawks’ practice squads last year.
Saunders caught one pass for 7 yards with the Saints. He also returned three kicks for 139 yards and 15 punts for 129 yards.
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound wideout ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine last February. He played collegiately at Fresno State and Oklahoma, catching 203 passes for 3,085 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 32 times for 301 yards, had 33 kick returns for 798 yards and 31 punt returns for 465 yards with three touchdowns.
The Patriots received a long look at Saunders during joint practices with the Saints this summer.
The Patriots also have acquired tight ends Asante Cleveland and Michael Williams and offensive lineman Ryan Groy in trades this summer.
Thumbnail photo via Michael Shroyer/USA TODAY Sports Images
