Sources: Patriots pick up option on WR Kenny Britt, decline option on DL Alan Branch

Two personnel updates from the Patriots on Tuesday afternoon: A league source confirmed the Patriots have picked up the 2018 option for wide receiver Kenny Britt, while a separate report indicated the team won’t pick up the option on defensive lineman Alan Branch for 2018.

BSJ analysis: How does this impact New England at wide receiver and defensive tackle?


The 29-year-old Britt was released by Cleveland on Dec. 8, 2017, and was added to New England’s roster on Dec. 13. He caught two passes for 23 yards in three games for the Patriots, but was inactive for the postseason, including Super Bowl LII. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder admitted late in the year that his head was spinning as he continued to adjust to the Patriots — to that point, he is one of a few pass catchers (including Phillip Dorsett) who will certainly benefit from a full offseason in the New England system. Looking ahead, it’s not expected his return will impact the planning the team has when it comes to free-agent receivers like Danny Amendola.

Branch was acquired by the Patriots in 2014, and almost immediately became an important part of New England defensive rotation. He was a stout presence in the middle the last few years, but age and injury caught up with him this past season, as he was limited to 12 regular-season games. (Even when he was healthy, he was supplanted in the lineup by veteran Ricky Jean Francois.) The writing was on the wall for the 33-year-old, who did not play after Dec. 11 — on the morning of the Super Bowl, he was spotted at Panda Express in the Mall of America. Going forward, expect the Patriots to lean more on fellow defensive tackles Malcom Brown and Lawrence Guy, as well as Vincent Valentine and Adam Butler. If Jean Francois (who is an unrestricted free agent) doesn’t return, New England could add some depth at defensive tackle either in the draft or in free agency with Branch's departure.

The Patriots also waived defensive end Caleb Kidder. The 24-year-old, who was signed last year, was waived last August and reverted to injured reserve, where he spent the entire 2017 season.