With the regular season approaching and some lingering questions about depth at the receiver position, the New England Patriots acquired Jalen Saunders from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for an conditional seventh round draft pick. 

Saunders, a second year wide receiver/return specialist, was vying for a chance to be the Saints top return man, according to a nola.com report. It appears he was losing the battle, which made him expendable and the Patriots swept in.

Saunders was drafted in the fourth round of last year's draft by the New York Jets, but was released late in September. From there her spent time on practice squads for the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. By November the Saints swooped in to give him a chance on the active roster.

At the least, Saunders will ad depth to the Patriots return game and could find some action in the passing game. Look for him to be thrust into action in Thursday's preseason finale against the New York Giants.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the deal.

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