Patriots Rumors: WR Jordan Matthews, TE Troy Niklas to Visit New England

The New England Patriots reportedly have their eyes on potential targets for quarterback Tom Brady.

On Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reported wide receiver Jordan Matthews and tight end Troy Niklas were visiting the defending AFC champions. Matthews spent the 2017 season on the Buffalo Bills, while Niklas was a member of the Arizona Cardinals.

The Patriots acquired wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson via trade from the Oakland Raiders this offseason, while veteran Danny Amendola left them to sign with the Miami Dolphins.

New England also has Rob Gronkowski at tight end, but he hasn't played a full 16-game season since the 2011 campaign. Additionally, Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com noted Gronkowski still hasn't made a decision about whether to retire at 28 years old, as there are reportedly "lingering frustrations" between him and head coach Bill Belichick.

Gronkowski is ultimately more likely to return than to call it quits this offseason, sources told Darlington.

As for the players visiting Monday, Matthews played 10 games in 2017 for the Bills and tallied 25 catches for 282 yards and one touchdown. While that production wasn't prolific, he had eight touchdown catches in both 2014 and 2015 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, and he topped 800 receiving yards in each of his three seasons in Philadelphia.

Niklas played 15 games in 2017 and finished with 11 catches for 132 yards and one touchdown.