4 splash roster moves Patriots could still make ahead of training camp
· Yahoo Sports
Training camp is only a few weeks away, and the New England Patriots still have a couple of roster spots that could use some work.
Most notably, the team needs a blocking tight end after losing Julian Hill to a season-ending injury. As of now, the top two options on their roster are veteran Hunter Henry and rookie third-round draft pick Eli Raridon. There are high hopes that Raridon will turn into a major contributor down the road, but it would be expecting a lot for him to be productive right out of the gate.
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The Patriots could also use some help on the edge on the defensive side of the ball. Gabe Jacas, the team's rookie second-round draft pick, still hasn't signed his contract, and Harold Landry III, who led the team in sacks last season, has been banged up.
That leaves Dre'Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Jesse Luketa and rookie Quintayvious Hutchins as their top pass-rushing options.
Here are four moves the Patriots still could make ahead of training camp:
Sign Jadeveon Clowney
The Patriots need a backup plan on the edge, and despite being 33 years old, Jadeveon Clowney is still an imposing defender built like a comic book superhero. He briefly spent time with Mike Vrabel during a one-year stint with the Tennessee Titans back in 2020. So there's some familiarity there that makes this move a realistic pitch.
Clowney appeared in 13 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season and finished with 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble and four pass deflections. He clearly still has juice left in the tank.
Sign Pharaoh Brown
Veteran tight end Pharaoh Brown had a short, yet productive, run with the Patriots in 2023. He's a reliable run-blocker who isn't a complete goose egg on the receiving stat sheet. The hope is that he would mainly be used as a blocker while the team eases Raridon into the mix as a contributor. Brown has already expressed a desire to return to New England this offseason.
Trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux teased an NFL breakout with 11.5 sacks in 2023, but he hasn't been able to reach those same heights in the last two seasons. He is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the writing seems to already be on the wall for his time ending with the Giants.
If the Patriots were going to roll the dice on a player, it would make sense to go with the No. 5 overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft who might find more success in a different defense. K'Lavon Chaisson, another former first-round pick deemed a draft bust, turned his career around in one season with the Patriots. Thibodeaux would have a great shot at doing the same.
Sign Will Dissly
Veteran tight end Will Dissly dealt with a slew of injuries in his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers. When healthy, he's a reliable blocker with the versatility to also serve as a legitimate receiving weapon. He played in 15 games with the Chargers in 2024 and racked up 50 receptions for 481 yards and two touchdowns. That kind of production would be a huge boost for New England's offense.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 4 splash roster moves Patriots could still make ahead of training camp