Patriots Antonio Brown Release Makes Random Trade of Demaryius Thomas Look Even Worse

What made the New England Patriots' signing of Antonio Brown all the more mystifying was the fact that the organization wasn't exactly desperate for wide receiver depth.

They already had the likes of Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon (thanks to his reinstatement), Phillip Dorsett, and rookie Jakobi Myers. First-round selection N'Keal Harry was also set to join the troops down the line once he recovers from injury.

The Pats, prior to signing Brown, also had veteran Demaryius Thomas at their disposal, who impressed with an 80-yard, two touchdown performance in the team's preseason dress rehearsal. However, once they signed AB, the franchise offloaded the former longtime Bronco to the Jets for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick.

It goes without saying that DT is well past his prime and he has even dealt with his fair share of significant injuries in recent seasons, but New England essentially traded him to have Brown line up out wide for one game.

People forget that Thomas is just two seasons removed from catching 86 passes for 949 yards and five touchdowns. Even in 2018, the four-time Pro-Bowler logged five touchdowns and close to 700 yards in what most pundits described as a lost year for the veteran.

You really think Tom Brady wouldn't get the most out of the Georgia Tech product, who would likely be lining up as his No. 3 receiver, and therefore facing off against the oppositions third-best cover corner?

Of course he would.

The Pats still have enough WR depth to get by, but we don't doubt that Bill Belichick wishes he still had the red zone machine, Super Bowl-winning Thomas in Foxborough. New England treated the 31-year-old pass catcher like spare parts and it might just come back to bite them.