FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots bolstered their quarterback depth chart by claiming former New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito on waivers Wednesday.
To make room for DeVito, the Patriots plan to launch veteran vast receiver Kendrick Bourne after talks to commerce him did not come to fruition, sources inform ESPN.
DeVito, who developed a following amongst Giants followers as an inspiring underdog who broke by means of as an undrafted free agent in 2023, joins starter Drake Maye and high backup Joshua Dobbs in New England.
The Patriots have been available in the market for a No. 3 quarterback since releasing undrafted free agent Ben Wooldridge (Louisiana) on Friday, and so they acquired an up-close take a look at DeVito in final week’s preseason finale when DeVito sliced up their backup protection in going 17 of 20 for 198 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
“Simply strengthening our roster, actually at a premium place,” Vrabel mentioned Wednesday.
The Giants had been stocked at quarterback with Russell Wilson, first-round decide Jaxson Dart and veteran Jameis Winston, and after the sport, DeVito acknowledged: “Any time you exit on the sector, irrespective of the place you’re — particularly being undrafted — you are performing for all 31 organizations as properly.”
Along with DeVito, the Patriots additionally had been awarded former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Charles Woods on waivers.
As for Bourne, the nine-year veteran has totaled 292 receptions for 3,714 yards and 22 touchdowns over his profession and was one in all eight receivers stored on the Patriots’ preliminary 53-man roster Tuesday. That’s greater than the norm, and it foreshadowed that the group would probably be thinned down within the coming days. The Vikings had expressed curiosity in Bourne earlier than buying and selling for Adam Thielen, a supply advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bourne was getting into his fifth season in New England, and he supplied insurance coverage behind Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins on the depth chart. The Patriots even have rookies Kyle Williams (third spherical, Washington State) and slot Efton Chism III (undrafted, Jap Washington) at receiver, together with 2024 fourth-round draft decide Javon Baker.
Bourne had not practiced since Aug. 1 after being rolled up on in an intrasquad scrimmage however was near returning to the sector, in accordance with a supply.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Bourne had his finest NFL season in 2021, taking part in beneath coordinator Josh McDaniels in New England when he totaled 55 catches for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns. His skill to play a number of receiver spots added to his worth, and Bourne had expressed pleasure about McDaniels’ return to the Patriots as coordinator this yr and presumably duplicating these outcomes.
Bourne spent the primary 4 seasons of his NFL profession with the San Francisco 49ers (2017-2020), who’ve been managing a short-handed scenario at receiver in coaching camp/preseason.
The 49ers are “very ” in a reunion with Bourne, a supply advised ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
