Former Detroit Lions receivers Golden Tate and Bruce Ellington will reportedly sign with new teams, the New York Giants and New England Patriots respectively.
Tate’s 4-year deal with the Giants, worth $37.5 million with $23 million guaranteed is a bit lower than anticipated based on last years rising wide receiver prices but appears right on par with this years market. End of the day, Tate secured himself a nice contract, getting the Giants to Show him the money, which was higher than the Lions appeared to be willing to spend on a third receiver.
In New York, Tate will join an Odell Beckham-less wide receiving group, headlined by Sterling Shepard and Corey Coleman.
The Patriots don’t typically make splashes in free agency and signing Ellington to a prove it deal falls right in line with expectations. The opening remarks of Devon Clements article at Patriots Wire sum it up fairly well, “He’s not Golden Tate, he’s not Cole Beasley, and he’s not Adam Humphries. Heck, he’s not even Danny Amendola”.
Clements does believe Ellington could provide value though, specifically on special teams. “The Patriots will be looking for this upcoming season now that Cordarrelle Patterson is no longer with the team. He could even give the 32-year-old Julian Edelman some rest by letting him strictly play as a receiver and not have to worry about punt return duties.”
The Patriots have a unique of turning similar situations into success stories in the NFL, and for now, Ellington will get a chance to make an impact.
