FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A few thoughts on the New England Patriots‘ one-year agreement with wide receiver Jordan Matthews, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Injury history: Matthews had a few notable injuries with the Bills last season — a chip fracture in his sternum, a fractured thumb and a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve. So this is a case of him hitting the market at a low point (25 catches in 10 games) after putting together three productive seasons in Philadelphia, which drafted him in the second round in 2014.
Fourth offensive system in five years: The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Matthews played in offenses directed by Chip Kelly (2014-15), Doug Pederson (2016) and Rick Dennison (2017), so this will be the fourth time he’s learning a new attack. His time with Kelly provides a good snapshot of how he might look in New England, as there was plenty of tempo and Matthews seemed to be used mostly on the inside part of the field (although he could probably line up at multiple spots in New England). Reviewing parts of the 2015 Patriots-Eagles game, when Matthews had a 10-yard touchdown catch, I could have made the case that he was as much of a “move tight end” as a receiver. Wearing No. 81, he reminded me a little bit of former Patriots tight end Tim Wright (also No. 81) in terms of being almost a cross between receiver and tight end.
Why I like the fit: One of the things that is often said about the Patriots’ offense is that players have to run precise routes and know where they need to be. Matthews, if healthy, fits that profile. There isn’t a standout trait that jumps out about him — he’s not blazing fast, and he doesn’t have the quick-twitch suddenness of a traditional slot receiver like Danny Amendola, but he catches the ball well and can be a complementary asset in an overall passing attack if healthy.
Overall wide receiver depth chart: The Patriots have two proven receivers in their system in Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan, and then there should be a solid competition with Matthews, Phillip Dorsett, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Cordarrelle Patterson, Riley McCarron and Cody Hollister. Matthews fits a different profile than the rest of the group.
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