FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When the New England Patriots released veteran wide receiver Nate Washington on Wednesday, it shed another layer off a pass-catching depth chart that coach Bill Belichick previously said was probably as good as it has been from a competition standpoint in his 17 years with the club.
Washington faced longer odds to earn a spot, in part because he doesn't contribute on special teams. Usually a backup receiver has to add value in the kicking game unless there are unique circumstances in play.