Still, while it may not be the whirlwind the Patriots embarked on at the start of free agency last year, they are starting to chip away.
The Patriots on Monday added two other notable pieces on offense: guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (three-year, $42M contract with $21M guaranteed) and running back Reggie Gilliam (3-year contract worth up to $12M with $6M fully guaranteed). They also added Dre’Mont Jones to their defensive line (three-year, $39.5M contract).
Doubs joins a receiving corps that currently includes Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III. The Patriots released wide receiver Stefon Diggs last week, leaving a hole for Doubs to fill in their departure.
Prior to free agency, the Patriots were linked to other free agents, including Alec Pierce and Jalen Nailor. After Pierce re-signed with the Colts and Nailor left the Vikings for the Raiders, the Patriots turned to Doubs.
Doubs has caught 202 passes for 2,424 yards (12.0-yard average) and 21 touchdowns in 59 games (50 starts). He’s also been very productive in four career playoff games, catching 20 passes for 371 yards and two TDs, including an eight-catch, 124-yard, one-TD outing in the Packers’ playoff loss to the Bears last January.