2021 NFL free agency: Patriots lose wide receiver Donte Moncrief to Texans on reported one-year, $2 million contract

The New England Patriots’ wide receiver room continues to see some changes early in free agency. After bringing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne on board, releasing Marqise Lee, and not tendering exclusive-rights free agent Quincy Adeboyejo, another member of the 2020 depth chart has now left the organization.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Donte Moncrief will join the — you guessed it — Houston Texans. Moncrief has reportedly signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the club led by long-time Patriots executive Nick Caserio.

Moncrief first arrived in New England last November when the Patriots added him to their practice squad following a workout. The former third-round draft pick spent a month on the developmental roster before officially being signed to the 53-man squad. Before that move, he had already been elevated to the game day roster twice.

All in all, Moncrief appeared in six games for New England last season. While his contributions on the offensive side of the ball were almost non-existent — he played 25 snaps, caught one 15-yard pass, and had a 4-yard run — the veteran did have some positive moments serving as a kickoff returner.

Moncrief ran back seven kicks for an average of 23.6 yards per return. Also serving on the punt return and punt coverage units, he played one-third of possible special teams after his arrival.

Now, he is taking his talents to Houston to become the fifth member of the 2020 Patriots to be signed by Caserio this offseason. The Texans also acquired offensive tackle Marcus Cannon and tight end Ryan Izzo in two separate trades, and signed offensive lineman Jordan Steckler and tight end Paul Quessenberry in free agency.