The New England Patriots made a roster move on Friday. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Patriots inked former Bears and Saints receiver Cameron Meredith to a deal. Meredith figures to compete for a roster spot in the preseason with the Patriots.
The #Patriots are signing former #Saints and #Bears WR Cameron Meredith, source said. Another in a line or low-risk signings.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2019
New England Patriots Sign Cameron Meredith
Meredith signing with the Patriots comes with a little bit of comedy. During the 2015 NFL Draft, Meredith received a prank call from someone claiming to be Bill Belichick of the Patriots, and that New England would be drafting him. Instead, the Patriots selected defensive lineman Geneo Grissom with the 97th overall pick. Meredith went undrafted and signed on with the Chicago Bears.
Meredith made the Bears’ final 53-man roster and a rookie and appeared in 11 games in 2015. In those 11 games, Meredith was targeted 16 times and caught 11 of those targets for 120 yards. Meredith received a promotion on the Bears’ depth chart heading into 2016, and he made the most of it. Meredith appeared in 14 games and started 10, registering 97 targets and 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns.
After a promising 2016 campaign, Meredith suffered a brutal knee injury that knocked him out for all of the 2017 season. Chicago opted to let Meredith test the free-agent market as a restricted free agent heading into 2018. Meredith wound up signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately for Meredith, his knee injury has lingered, causing him to play in just six games for the Saints in 2018. In those six games, however, Meredith caught nine passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Earlier this week, the Saints released Meredith, seemingly as a result of him being unable to return to form after his 2017 knee injury. The Patriots are hoping that Meredith can stay healthy while he competes for a roster spot in the preseason. If he can, the Patriots have added a talented young receiver at the perfect time.
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