As the New England Patriots embarked on free agency one year ago, the front office placed a higher value on Danny Amendola than Julian Edelman.
This time around, the roles appear to have reversed.
NFL teams have told Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report that Amendola's name "has been floated in trade talks."
The report is especially noteworthy because The Boston Globe previously had suggested Amendola's roster spot is in jeopardy. If he is designated a post-June 1 cut, it would allow the Patriots to use the cap savings for a new Edelman contract.
It's the latest reminder of the NFL's "What have you done for me lately?" culture.
Signed to a five-year, $28.5 million contract as Wes Welker's replacement in the slot, Amendola hauled in 10 passes for 104 yards while tearing the adductor longus tendon in his groin during the season opener.
Battling through the painful injury, Amendola clearly wasn't the same player down the stretch -- particularly in a disappearing act during the AFC championship loss to Denver.
It's a bit of a surprise that a team as enlightened as the Patriots would pull a 180 on their 2013 assessments of Amendola and Edelman.
A decade ago, Bill Belichick & Co. swooped in for the steal when the Cincinnati Bengals devalued stud running back Corey Dillon because his production nosedived while gutting it out on a torn groin of his own.
The latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast" works through our top 101 free agents and responds to some heat from Donte Whitner.
