Golden Tate rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

The free agent market for proven wide receivers is thin, but slot standout Golden Tate could be a bargain for a team willing to think outside the box.

A lot of teams are expected to go shopping for number one wide receivers this offseason, but the free agent class is severely lacking in that department. Guys like Tyrell Williams, Devin Funchess, and Adam Humphries will likely be overpaid in hopes that they break out in the right system.

One name that hasn’t gotten a ton of hype in free agency is former Lion Golden Tate. Tate, who will turn 31 in August, won’t break the bank given his age but he could be an excellent fit for most teams given his history of production.

Prior to this season, where Tate was traded from Detroit to the Philadelphia Eagles at the deadline, he had recorded four straight years with at least 90 receptions. Tate had at least 1,000 yards in three of those seasons, and his final 2018 numbers (74 catches for 795 yards and four touchdowns) are still solid considering he was a complementary piece in Philadelphia.

Let’s break down five teams that could be in the running for Tate’s services, beginning with the defending Super Bowl champs.

5. New England Patriots

On the surface, the Pats may not seem like a good fit for Tate. New England already has a solid slot receiver in Julian Edelman, who happened to win the Super Bowl MVP, which could make Tate redundant.

The Pats do have questions at receiver, however, with Chris Hogan slated to become a free agent and Josh Gordon gone indefinitely due to more substance abuse problems. Rob Gronkowski is also a candidate to retire, so New England may need an infusion of weapons to help Tom Brady pursue his third title in the past four years.

Bill Belichick is known to value smart football players, and Tate certainly qualifies as a smart player. Tate’s precise route running would make him an excellent fit in New England’s quick screen game, and Josh McDaniels could definitely come up with unique ways to get both Tate and Edelman on the field.

The Pats also have to like the fact that Tate brings a winning pedigree to the locker room as the owner of a Super Bowl ring with Seattle. Tate has also made six appearances in the postseason (three with Seattle, two with Detroit, and last year with Philadelphia), so he should be very familiar with the pressure of January football.