The New England Patriots have signed free agent defensive tackle Markus Kuhn from the New York Giants. Kuhn was a restricted free agent, and the Giants apparently felt as if he were expendable enough to pass over to a Super Bowl rival.
Kuhn is a former seventh round pick who failed to impress the Giants after four average seasons. In the four seasons he was with the team, Kuhn only had one season where he started over five games, and that was in 2015. Kuhn recorded nine starts, 20 combined tackles and 0.5 sacks.
The Patriots are most likely just looking to add depth to this defensive unit like they have all offseason long. The Patriots have also added former Washington Redskins defensive end Frank Kearse, who is only 27, and Chris Long to help bolster this pass rush and provide some depth on the defensive side of the ball. Long was surprisingly released by the Los Angeles Rams to make room for younger talent.
The Patriots also signed wide receiver Nate Washington from the Houston Texans, which will not only add some depth to this wide receiving corps, but also provide solid veteran production. Washington suffered several lingering injuries that kept him off of the field for quite some time. However, he should bounce back with this pass-heavy Patriots offense.
They also acquired free agent running back Donald Brown, even though perennial Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount is still a free agent. New England signed Shea McClellin from the Chicago Bears to help the Patriots stop the run and generate some pressure. McClellin is just one of the many defensive players that the Patriots have picked up during this chaotic free agent period.
The only other linebacker that the Patriots picked up was Ramon Humber from the New Orleans Saints, as he was one of the few bright spots in what was otherwise a struggling defensive unit. Humber is just a depth addition, as the Patriots will be missing a first round pick during the 2016 NFL Draft thanks to their involvement in the Deflategate scandal. New England does have two second round picks and could be looking to take the best player available.
They do need help along the offensive line, and Cody Whitehair or Joshua Garnett could be available for them with one of their second round picks. Running back and wide receiver are also positions of concern, but the Patriots could find solid production from a playmaker such as running backs Derrick Henry or Devontae Booker; even wide receivers such as Braxton Miller or Michael Thomas could present an impressive upgrade to this offense. Picking up Kuhn will help solidify the Patriots defensive line depth before the draft, allowing them the freedom to take whoever they want.
