David Patten may be gone, but the return of Wes Welker from the active/PUP list highlights a potential numbers problem for Torry Holt in New England.
Simply put, there are five Patriots receivers that should safely have roster spots. Holt can’t be counted as one of them.
As SI’s Don Banks notes, Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman are roster locks behind Welker and Randy Moss. Tate has impressed onlookers early in camp and should have a major role in the return game.
That leaves Holt and third-round pick Taylor Price, who is too talented to consider placing through waivers. Plus, Price has shown up with a big camp of his own thus far.
Holt has zero special teams value, so he basically needs to hope the Patriots keep six receivers to make the team. That’s possible, but it also allows for the possibility Holt would be inactive on gamedays.
In the end, Holt looks like an insurance policy that could run out if the receivers in front of him stay healthy.