Michael Floyd’s tenure with the Arizona Cardinals is over, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we should close the book on his 2016 season.
The Cardinals waived Floyd on Wednesday, two days after the veteran wide receiver was arrested on a DUI charge. Floyd, who was set to become a free agent after this season, could face a two-game suspension pending the outcome of his legal case, but that would come at a later date, meaning a team could opt to sign the former first-round pick in the hopes of him making an impact down the stretch and/or in the playoffs.
Would the New England Patriots consider rolling the dice?
There was nothing as of Thursday afternoon to suggest the Pats were seriously contemplating bringing in the embattled receiver, but Albert Breer of The MMQB floated the idea Wednesday shortly after Floyd’s release.
As you’d expect, some Patriots fans took the idea and ran with it, just as some New England supporters jumped onboard with the possibility of signing return specialist Devin Hester following his release from the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week.
The idea is logical, as the Patriots could use some additional depth at wide receiver after recently losing Danny Amendola to an injury. Floyd, the 13th overall pick out of Notre Dame in 2012, has had some productive seasons — he eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2013 and totaled more than 800 receiving yards in both 2014 and 2015 — and his size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds), speed and deep-play potential make him an intriguing possibility. Players like Floyd generally don’t become available in Week 15.
That said, there’s the inherent baggage that comes with signing a player fresh off a DUI arrest. And he’d be a relatively expensive pick-up, as it’d cost $1.2 million to claim him off waivers for the final three regular-season games.
Sure, the Patriots could use a receiver, but is it really worth adding Floyd at that price? They’re already a lock for the playoffs, Amendola could be back for the postseason and New England’s offense has been just fine in large because of solid play from rookie Malcolm Mitchell and Chris Hogan in recent weeks.
The Pats should pass on Floyd despite his talent.
Thumbnail photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images
