Patriots Host 2 WRs For Workouts

Refining the roster and the talent in New England never stops, and the Patriots appear to be interested in bolstering the wide receiver position ahead of the regular season opener.

The offseason work has come to an end, culminating in a 1-2 preseason record. All of that is behind the 2023 New England Patriots, as the regular season begins on Sunday, in a difficult test against the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium.

Refining the roster and the talent in New England never stops, and the Patriots appear to be interested in bolstering the wide receiver position ahead of the regular season opener.

Free-agent WRs Shi Smith (South Carolina) and Cody Chrest (Sam Houston) were in town for workouts with the Patriots.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 1, 2023

On Friday, wideouts Shi Smith and Cody Chrest reportedly worked out with the Patriots. 

Chrest went undrafted out of San Houston State and has seen time with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers this offseason. He spent part of seven seasons playing collegiately including three at Harvard before transferring to the Bearkats.

Smith was a sixth-round selection of the Carolina Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He's played in 23 games in the past two seasons, registering 28 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns while also returning punts. He was a 53-man final-cut casualty on Tuesday.

On Thursday, the team signed former Eagles and Vikings wideout Jalen Reagor to the practice squad, so the team's interest in a deeper receiver's room is apparent. That room is quite crowded, with a depth chart consisting of DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Juju Smith-Schuster, and rookies Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte.

Tyquan Thornton, last year's second-round pick, will start the season on the injured reserve, missing the first four games. The Patriots receiving corps is deep, but whether or not there's room for everyone remains to be seen.