{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Taylor Gabriel","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Gabriel_Taylor_USATSI_13440731.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599147231,"caption":"

Gabriel only appeared in nine games for the Chicago Bears last season due to injury, but he'd certainly make the plodding Patriots faster: The 5-foot-7, 168-pound wideout reportedly ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at his college pro day.

Gabriel possibly could help New England in the return game, as well.

"},{"title":"Jermaine Kearse","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Kearse_Jermaine_USATSI_13157483.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599149321,"caption":"

Speaking of former Jets wideouts... Kearse amassed 810 yards on 65 catches for New York in 2017 and might be the best slot receiver on the board.

He joined the Detroit Lions last season but missed all of 2019 after breaking his leg in a preseason game against the Patriots.

"},{"title":"Demaryius Thomas","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Thomas_Demaryius_USATSI_13277465.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599149723,"caption":"

The Seattle Seahawks just signed Josh Gordon, but the Patriots still have the option to reunite with an old friend in Thomas, who appeared in 11 games for the Jets last season.

Thomas failed to survive New England's final roster cuts last summer, though, so it's unlikely the Patriots bring him back, even in these desperate times.

"},{"title":"Russell Shepard","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Shepard_Russell_USATSI_13177630.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599149979,"caption":"

Perhaps the Patriots would consider adding another former Cam Newton teammate in Shepard, who caught 17 passes for 202 yards for Carolina in 2017.

The 29-year-old LSU product last played for the Giants and caught just three passes for 25 yards in three games last season.

"},{"title":"Justin Hardy","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Hardy_Justin_USATSI_13849513.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599150321,"caption":"

Hardy didn't put up big numbers for the Atlanta Falcons, but at least he was consistent: The East Carolina product caught 19 or more passes in four of his five NFL seasons and hasn't missed a game since his rookie year.

Hardy also was a quarterback in high school, in case the Patriots want to open up the trick play book...

"},{"title":"Jaron Brown","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Brown_Jaron_USATSI_13849513.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599150685,"caption":"

Brown is a big (6-foot-3, 204) and fast (4.40 40-yard dash) wideout who caught seven touchdown passes over his previous two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

The 30-year-old spent his previous five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted in 2013.

"},{"title":"Dwayne Harris","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Harris_Dwayne_USATSI_13371313.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599151005,"caption":"

Harris is the definition of a return specialist and has caught just eight passes over the last three seasons.

The Patriots got creative with Cordarrelle Patterson in 2018 and could use some help in the return game, though, so maybe they'll give the 32-year-old former Pro Bowler a call.

"},{"title":"Ryan Grant","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Grant_Ryan_USATSI_13214486.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports","published":1599151373,"caption":"

Grant's best NFL season came in 2017, when he caught 45 passes for 573 yards and four touchdowns in Washington.

The 29-year-old has stopped in Indianapolis, Oakland and Green Bay since then, although he didn't appear in a regular-season game for the Packers.

"}]}

Which free-agent WRs could Patriots sign after Mohamed Sanu release?