The Buffalo Bills opted to not tender a contact to rehabbing Florida product David Nelson as a restricted free agent Sunday, the second such move this offseason by general manager Buddy Nix and the team.Nelson's departure makes the Bills' next roster move an intriguing one, but where Nelson winds up could be the most intriguing part of all. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)
The Bills not biting at Nelson was a bit of a surprise considering his moderate salary and potentially huge upside this season, just a few reasons why Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston thinks he may not go far.
Reiss said Monday he could very easily see the Patriots making a move for Nelson given their need at the position, his value coming off season-ending surgery, his size, and the fact the team took a shot once before in 2010 when Nelson ultimately signed with Buffalo.
New England certainly has a knack for taking what others don't want and making it work for them, so a move for Nelson wouldn't be surprising. The news of Tom Brady extending his contract may make Wes Welker’s return a bit more likely, but it doesn’t change the fact that Nelson would still help the Pats’ aging receiving corps.
They may not be alone either, as both the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are in similar wide receiver situations as the Pats and have also seen firsthand what Nelson can do.
Reiss noted Nelson's 84-yard performance against New England in Week 3 in 2011, but Nelson was equally efficient against his other two divisional rivals, as well. He tallied six catches for 60 yards against the Dolphins in Week 15 that year, and he snagged a touchdown in each of his two games against the Jets (83 total yards).
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