The New England Patriots are bringing in defensive lineman Nick Fairley for a visit on Monday. Fairley would be a solid addition to a Patriots' defensive line that has to improve after the team traded its star pass rusher, Chandler Jones, for offensive guard Jonathan Cooper and the Cardinals' second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Fairley has not played up to expectations in his six seasons in the NFL. He spent four of those years as a Detroit Lion and was not particularly effective. He spent the 2015 season with the St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles Rams) and was only utilized for situational pass rushing.
In 2015 Fairley didn't start any games, and in 15 games he recorded 29 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks and one pass defense. In Fairley's time in the NFL he has never recorded more than six sacks and only played in more than 10 games once. His one semi-normal season came in 2013 when he played and started in 15 games.
The 28-year-old would add some depth to the middle of the defensive line as it attempts to replace Chandler Jones' production. The Patriots want to generate more of a push on the defensive side of the ball, and to do that they will need some big and talented defensive linemen to execute, so adding Fairley would be a step in the right direction.
The Patriots have also added inside linebacker Shea McClellin, formerly of the Chicago Bears; defensive end Chris Long, from the Rams; Frank Kearse, from the Washington Redskins; and running back Donald Brown, from the San Diego Chargers; and they re-signed free safety Nate Ebner.
The Patriots are clearly looking to upgrade the defensive side of the ball, so a defensive-driven draft should be expected. Signing Long, Kearse and potentially Fairley could go a long way toward repairing the damage that this team has suffered thanks to the loss of Chandler Jones.
The Patriots will be picking later than most of their AFC East rivals in the draft thanks to their playoff run, however this draft is very deep in defensive linemen so they could add some pretty powerful players in the next few months.
