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Lavelle Hawkins, New England Patriots sign contract

The New England Patriots continue to mine for wideouts.

Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reported Thursday that former Titans receiver Lavelle Hawkins has agreed to a two-year deal with the Patriots after being released by Tennessee last week.

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Hawkins enters a crowded house and isn't guaranteed a roster spot with the Patriots, but he arrives at an opportune time. New England has the forgettable Michael Jenkins penciled in at receiver across from productive-but-brittle Danny Amendola. Behind them, Julian Edelman and Donald Jones will compete for snaps with rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce.

We expect Dobson to win a starting role before it's all over.

Hawkins -- who made just four starts over five seasons -- saw the writing on the wall after Tennessee picked up Kevin Walter in free agency.

The Titans made Hawkins their fourth-round pick in 2008, but he's caught just 71 passes for 771 yards and a single touchdown since. Hawkins wasn't a standout contributor on special teams last season, either, meaning the time is now for him to make a lasting impression if he hopes to stick in Foxborough.

UPDATE: The New England Patriots officially announced that they have signed Hawkins on Thursday. Terms of the contract were not announced by the team.

Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.