Pats sign Luke Bowanko and Jordan Matthews to one-year deals
Phelan M Ebenhack | AP Photo |
After losing some key players this offseason, the New England Patriots are finally making moves to add to their roster.
This week, the team has signed both offensive lineman, Luke Bowanko, and wide receiver, Jordan Matthews, to one-year deals.
Bowanko comes to the Patriots after spending parts of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens. He was a sixth-round pick for the Jaguars in 2014 and started 14 games at center as a rookie. But since then, he has faced a bit of injury issues which caused him to only play in seven games between 2015 and 2016. He had a healthier season last year with the Baltimore Ravens, playing in all 16 games and starting in one.
Jordan Matthews comes to the Patriots after spending his first three years in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles and the most recent season with the Buffalo Bills. He will be looked at as a replacement for slot receiver Danny Amendola – as Matthews ran 67.1 percent of his routes out of the slot in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus.
While with the Eagles for three seasons, Matthews caught 225 passes for 2,673 yards and 19 touchdowns. He is capable of putting up good numbers but has a bad history of dropped passes. According to PFF, he dropped 21 passes from 2014-2016.
While with the Bills last season, Matthews appeared in 10 games, catching 25 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown. He ended the season with surgery on his left knee and right ankle; but it is reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he’s good to go now.
Follow Megan on Twitter: @carnahanmegan