Michael

Matthews

The Pats see Matthews, a former undrafted free agent from Georgia Tech, as having more potential than Alex Smith, who was released. Matthews is a blocker, however, and won’t seriously threaten Chris Baker’s passing down snaps.

Matthews lasted less than two months on the Pats roster, which wasn’t enough to meet conditions of the trade with the Giants.

The Patriots traded an undisclosed draft pick to the Giants for Matthews before Week 1. He’s blocking tight end that had no catches on the year.

Boss, 24, caught only nine balls for 118 yards and two TDs as a rookie last year, but has the athleticism and size to be a three-down player. It will likely take Boss a year to develop into a starting fantasy TE, but he can be drafted as a high-upside backup. He should get better as the season progresses. Darcy Johnson and Michael Matthews figure to battle for backup duty.

Don’t start the Kevin Boss hype machine just yet. The Giants are high on Darcy Johnson, who like Boss bulked up this spring, and Michael Matthews is a potent blocker. Boss is the heavy favorite, but his lack of blocking skills could mean limited snaps and upside in fantasy leagues.

With Casey FitzSimmons battling a concussion and Brandon Pettigrew out for the season, the Lions needed depth behind Will Heller.

Matthews, listed at 6'4/270, will try to make the Bills as a strict blocking tight end. He has eight catches in 36 career games.

Matthews, listed at 6'4/270, is purely a blocking specialist. The Colts already have one of those in Brody Eldridge, so Matthews would seem to be a roster longshot.

Matthews, vying to be a blocking specialist behind Jon Stupar and Shawn Nelson, injured his foot or ankle in camp. He’ll clear waivers and go on I.R.