The New England Patriots added another veteran pass-catcher through free agency.
The Patriots signed wide receiver Nate Washington, the team announced Thursday. Washington spent 2015 with the Houston Texans and caught 47 passes for 658 yards with four touchdowns last season. The The 6-foot-1, 183-pound receiver visited the Patriots last week.
Washington came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Tiffin University with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005. He has 458 career receptions for 6,954 yards and 44 touchdowns, and his best season came in 2011 with the Tennessee Titans, when he caught 74 passes for 1,023 yards with seven scores.
Washington, 32, likely will go into training camp competing for a role with other depth receivers on the Patriots’ roster. He also gives the Patriots insurance at the position if they decide to part ways with slot receiver Danny Amendola.
The Patriots now have Washington, Amendola, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Keshawn Marin, Aaron Dobson, Matthew Slater, Chris Harper and DeAndre Carter on their roster at receiver. The Patriots also added tight end Martellus Bennett this offseason.
Washington knows New England’s offensive system from his year with the Texans, playing under head coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. The Patriots had success trading for Martin, another former Texans receiver, last season. They also briefly brought in ex-Texans receiver Damaris Johnson last season.
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
