Patriots to sign Kenny Britt

One man’s trash is sometimes another man’s treasure, and the New England Patriots apparently see something good in Kenny Britt.

After topping 1,000 yards for the Los Angeles Rams last year, Kenny Britt signed a four-year, $32.5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. Then he delivered 18 catches and two touchdowns in nine games, so newly appointed general manager John Dorsey made releasing Britt his first major move last Friday.

No team was going to take on what’s left of Britt’s contract, so he was sure to clear waivers. Playing for a contending team was reported to be his preference, as if it should matter if he wants an opportunity to play, with the New England Patriots mentioned easily as a potential landing spot. Bill Belichick has shown affinity for players out of Rutgers, specifically those that played for Greg Schiano, and Britt fits both bills.

Any player move New England makes will make the other 31 teams question their methods. On that note, they’re set to add Britt to their roster.

Britt should be ready to play immediately, in some sort of role. But Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola and perhaps even Phillip Dorsett are ahead of him on the wide receiver depth chart, to say nothing of the prominent role tight end Rob Gronkowski and the Patriots’ running backs have in the passing game.

The Patriots made a similar move a year ago, signing wide receiver Michael Floyd after a DUI led to the Arizona Cardinals letting him go. Floyd did not do much during his time in New England, and he was only active for one playoff game. But he did get a Super Bowl ring for his minimal trouble.

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In theory, Britt will have a far better chance to earn a significant role with the Patriots heading into next year. But there shouldn’t be much (if any) guaranteed money attached to him for 2018, and Britt could easily find himself elsewhere in short order once offseason work gets going.