The Patriots could be looking to bolster their receiving corps with an intriguing buy-low option.
New England has shown interest in D.J. Chark, according to ESPN. The 25-year-old is coming off an injury riddled campaign, in which he only appeared in four games after suffering a fractured ankle in Week 4.
Chark’s best professional season came in 2019, when he caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns — qualifying for his first and only Pro Bowl.
Stuck in Jacksonville, Chark could benefit from moving to a more stable operation. At 6-foot-4, he would give the Patriots the downfield threat they desire.
The Jaguars selected Chark in the second round of the 2018 draft. He’s reeled in 147 catches for 2,042 yards and 15 touchdowns in his four professional seasons.
With an estimated $10.2 million in cap space, the Patriots may pursue second-tier options in the receiver market, especially after outlaying substantial cash last offseason to Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. The Patriots have also been tied to JuJu Smith-Schuster, who’s coming off an injury as well.
NFL free agency begins Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
