The Giants today signed Cardinals tight end Ben Patrick to a one-year contract and the immediate reaction is this: What does it mean for unsigned Kevin Boss?

Probably not a whole lot.

Sure, Boss as the starting tight end remains without a deal and the fact that the Giants added a player at his position can’t be a good sign. Patrick, though, is not really on the same level as Boss. Patrick, 26, in four years with the Cardinals has 45 receptions for 446 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-3, 264-pound Patrick, out of Delaware, is not reputed to be a very strong blocker.

Boss in four years with the Giants has 119 receptions for 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns.

More likely, Patrick’s arrival has more to do with Travis Beckum, a third-year player who has done virtually nothing in his first two years.