The New England Patriots have signed tight end Clay Harbor, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harbor is a former fourth round pick who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. He has been mostly underutilized in his seven-season career, posting only 111 receptions throughout his entire career.
In 2015, Harbor recorded three starts 14 receptions, 149 yards, and one touchdown. He has only recorded a little over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns throughout his entire career, so he has had a very small role in most of the offenses that he has played in.
Harbor is a solid free agent addition who should help strengthen this group of tight ends. The Pats were already spoiled with having Rob Gronkowski as their primary playmaker, but they also traded for former Chicago Bear Martellus Bennett. Bennett has been a Pro Bowl tight end for the last couple of seasons and should add a brand new dynamic to this Patriots passing offense.
Harbor will likely be placed behind Bennett on the depth chart as their top reserve tight end option. The Patriots brought in free agent defensive end Frank Kearse, who is only 27 years old, and Chris Long, who, at 30, is still one of the most productive defensive ends in his age bracket.
New England also signed wide receiver Nate Washington from the Houston Texans, but at 32, the Patriots cannot expect a ton of production. Washington suffered several lingering injuries that kept him off of the field for quite some time. They also added Shea McClellin to this roster from the Chicago Bears to help stop the run and generate some pressure.
The only other linebacker that the Patriots picked up was Ramon Humber from the Saints, who should make a bit more of an impact in New England than he did in New Orleans, as that defensive unit was wildly ineffective. The Patriots also bolstered their running game by acquiring running back Donald Brown in free agency.
LaGarrette Blount is still a free agent, and the Pats may feel as if he has become too old to help this offense as a power back. The Patriots have been very active in free agency this offseason, as they look to add a lot of talent to make up for missing out on a first round draft pick. Adding Harbor just brings the Patriots another step closer to greater offensive production and fulfills a need heading into the 2016 NFL Draft.
