The Patriots will have some serious competition at the tight end position this spring and summer, it seems.
The team has signed former Redskins tight end Fred Davis to a one-year deal. That gives coach Bill Belichick six players at that position on the 90-man roster.
Davis will join Rob Gronnkowski, Scott Chandler, Michael Hoomanawanui, Tim Wright and rookie sixth-round draft choice AJ Derby in what has become a relatively crowded tight end meeting room. Fullback James Develin also typically works out with and meets with the team's tight ends on a day-to-day basis.
Davis was reinstated to the NFL last week after serving a year-long substance-abuse suspension.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound 29-year-old spent six seasons with the Redskins before serving his suspension last season. His best season came in 2011, when he caught 59 passes for 796 yards in 12 games. In 2013, he played in 10 games and caught seven passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.