NFL Free Agency Rumors: New England Patriots want to sign Hakeem Nicks or Steve Smith

Dec 8, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) tries to stiff arm San Diego Chargers cornerback Richard Marshall (31) during second half action at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Last year was a bit of a disaster for the New England Patriots, as they had little to work with in the passing game to begin with and things just got worse from there. After Aaron Hernandez allegedly murdered someone and went to jail, Danny Amendola got hurt literally the instant he walked onto the field, the young receivers took forever to get a grip on the system and Tom Brady’s frustration level reached Kevin Love-type heights.

So it comes as absolutely no surprise that the Patriots are keeping an eye on the three top remaining free agent wide receivers, with Jason La Canfora speculating that they’ll land at least one of them.

The Pats will continue to monitor the WR market as well - Edelman, Nicks, Steve Smith - and in the end you have to figure they land one
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 13, 2014

The most likely option is Edelman returning, but there’s a chance that the Patriots add Nicks as well to counter the Broncos in the arms race. Adding all three would be the best route to go, as after over a decade of responsible spending, the Patriots need to splurge.

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