Per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, the Patriots have tried out eight players, four wide receivers and four cornerbacks.
While this is likely just a contact update, there could also be some play at the back-end of the roster as the Patriots try to compensate for injuries to wide receivers Danny Amendola and Matthew Slater on offense, and a potential injury to cornerback Marquice Cole on defense.
At wide receiver, the Patriots have tried out the following:
David Nelson, 6'5, 215, formerly of 4.5s 40 speed. He tore his ACL after breaking out in 2011 with 61 receptions, 658 yards, and 5 touchdowns with the Bills. The Patriots already have a big man developing in rookie Mark Harrison, but Nelson could be a viable target #4 if the Patriots keep running thin on offense. He didn't play last season due to the injury.
Jared Green, 6'1, 190, 4.4s 40. Green is the son of Hall of Famer cornerback Darrell Green. Green spent last season on the Panthers' practice squad before signing with the Cowboys this offseason. Bill Belichick loves pedigrees and Green would fill in a Matthew Slater role on the practice squad. His potential as a pure wide receiver is limited.
Sam McGuffie, 5'10, 200, 4.3s 40. McGuffie was an undrafted free agent, but he owns the distinction of being the only player in Rice history to have 1000 yards rushing and receiving. McGuffie started out as a running back, but eventually became a wide receiver, which makes him a clear target for the Shane Vereen role. His raw physical ability is off the charts.
Terrance Toliver, 6'3, 210, 4.5s 40. Undrafted back in 2011, Toliver has bounced around the league to 5 NFL teams and 1 UFL team. He was most recently cut by the WR hungry San Diego Chargers. Toliver is most likely just a contact refresh, at most.
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At cornerback, the Patriots have tried out:
Myron Lewis,6'1, 203, 4.4s. Lewis was the 2010 3rd round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was cut this preseason, so Belichick clearly got the low down from coach Greg Schiano. Lewis oozed potential at Vanderbilt, but was unable to put it together on the field. Look for him to be a potential addition should an injury occur at CB.
Jalil Brown, 6'0, 205, 4.5s. Brown was the 2011 4th round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. Belichick has a friendship with current Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, so there's likely information there as Brown made it to the final cuts this season. Brown was the less-lauded counterpart to 2011 first round pick and Ravens CB Jimmy Smith. Brown is likely a deeper contact on the list.
DeQuan Menzie, 5'10, 205, 4.6s (off knee injury). Menzie was the 2012 5th round pick by the Chiefs. They released him after the draft this year and he subsequently signed with the Lions. The Lions need depth in the secondary and Menzie wasn't able to make the cut and was released. Menzie has low potential with the Patriots.
Peyton Thompson, 5'10, 185, 4.4s. Thompson was a 2012 graduate who spent the last season on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff used to work with the Patriots so there's no question Belichick has some additional information. Thompson is a little undersized, but he could have a special teams purpose.
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Moral of the story? Nothing really on the horizon. Just updating the contact sheet. A lot of these players have relationships with people Belichick could glean some insider information from.
That's it. Don't read too far into it.