Patriots have a pair of veterans in for a workout
Although the fireworks of the early off-season have simmered down, the Patriots are still quietly shopping around for quality depth. On Wednesday, the Patriots hosted former Vikings offensive lineman Brandon Fusco and former Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta.
AROUND COVER32
2017 NFL Draft: Taking a look at offensive guard prospect, Dan Feeney
Around the NFL: Steelers’ Martavis Bryant reinstated after year-long ban
What’s Trending: Ed Werder, Trent Dilfer among 100 on-air talent and writers laid off by ESPN
NFL Free Agency: The Green Bay Packers sign offensive guard, Jahri Evans
Extended Draft Coverage: Taking a look at running back prospect, Brian Hill
Patriots’ News: Could Lewis be on the roster bubble?
Patriots’ News: StandingPats (Be Patriots) video: Non-White House attendees chime in
Patriots’ News: Hernandez story certainly a tragedy
Fusco’s versatility would be attractive to the Patriots as he can play either guard or center, with the latter lacking much depth behind incumbent starter David Andrews. The Vikings signed Fusco to a lucrative extension back in 2014 but he became a cap-casualty back in February. With the departure of Tre’ Jackson just last week, the Patriots are in need of some offensive line depth and a versatile player such as Fusco is a typical Belichick-type player. If signed, Fusco would join Shaq Mason, Ted Karras and Cameron Fleming in a reserve role.
After a five-sack season for the 49ers in 2014, Skuta made the jump to the Jaguars in free agency and appeared in 26 games over the next two seasons, racking up 58 tackles and 1.5 sacks in that time frame. Just like Fusco, Skuta was an early off season cap-cut, just two years into a five-year deal with the Jaguars.
Although Skuta never reached his potential he showed with San Francisco in his short time in Jacksonville, the hope would be that Belichick finds what he does best and maximizes it, as he has done with many players throughout his tenure with the Patriots. Skuta would join Shea McClellin and Kyle Van Noy as backups to starters Dont’a Hightower, Elandon Roberts, and Rob Ninkovich.
If both are inked to a deal with the defending champions, then they would offer solid depth on a team deep at most positions. With the Patriots having to wait until pick number 72 to make their first selection in this weekend’s draft, they need to continue to scour the free-agent crop to fill in some depth on the roster. Under-the-radar free-agent signings such as these are the ones that help win championships as football is the ultimate team-game.
The post Patriots have a pair of veterans in for a workout appeared first on Cover32.
