The New England Patriots reportedly are taking a close look Monday at two second-round picks from the 2014 NFL Draft.
The Patriots hosted wide receiver Jordan Matthews and tight end Troy Niklas on free-agent visits, a source told ESPN’s Field Yates.
Matthews, 25, was selected 42nd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Vanderbilt. He was traded to the Buffalo Bills last summer. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound receiver has 250 career receptions for 2,955 yards with 20 touchdowns in four seasons. He caught just 25 passes for 282 yards with one touchdown in 2017 with the Bills.
Matthews’ best season came in 2015, when he caught 85 passes for 997 yards with eight touchdowns on the Eagles.
Niklas, 25, was taken by the Arizona Cardinals 52nd overall in the 2014 draft. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound tight end has 19 career receptions for 203 yards with three touchdowns in four seasons. He caught 11 passes for 132 yards with one score in 2017.
The Patriots have a greater need at tight end than at wideout with starter Rob Gronkowski’s status still uncertain. Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister and Will Tye all are below Gronkowski on the tight end depth chart.
New England has Julian Edelman, Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell, Cordarrelle Patterson, Matthew Slater, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Riley McCarron and Cody Hollister at wide receiver.
