Patriots closing in on signing 2 free agents with newfound cap room
By Mike Luciano
The New England Patriots have their eyes on two free agents.
Even if you take away the decision to insert Cam Newton as the starting quarterback after Tom Brady’s departure, the New England Patriots are in the middle of a major facelift, as stars like Rob Gronkowski, Danny Shelton and Jamie Collins still need to be replaced. While these two under the radar acquisitions won’t directly replace those big names, they will give the Patriots depth in several key areas.
If their COVID-19 testing goes well and physicals are passed, tight end Jordan Leggett and defensive tackle Darius Kilgo are expected to join New England at practice soon.
The #Patriots are hosting FAs TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo, and if all goes well with COVID-19 testing and physicals, they plan to sign both, sources say. Leggett is a former #Jets fifth-rounder and Kilgo is a former 2016 #Broncos sixth rounder who has spent time in NE.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 10, 2020
Jordan Leggett could be a solid backup tight end.
Leggett was picked in the fifth round of the 2017 Draft by the New York Jets. He was slated to serve as the Week 1 tight end after an Austin Seferian-Jenkins DUI, but an injury knocked him out for the entire season. He recorded 14 catches and one touchdown in 2018 before spending last season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad.
While injuries and a lack of opportunity in the NFL haven’t been kind to Leggett, he did lead Clemson in receiving yards during their national championship upset of Alabama, so the natural talent as a receiving tight end is still there. He’ll make a fine backup to rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene after Matt LaCosse opted out of the 2020 season.
Darius Kilgo can provide depth on the defensive line.
Kilgo originally got his start in the NFL as a backup with the Denver Broncos during the tail-end of Peyton Manning’s career. After winning Super Bowl 50, he was cut midway through 2016. He picked up another championship ring as a member of New England’s practice squad.
Because the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions have a fetish for bringing on former Patriots, Kilgo made stops in both Nashville and Detroit. He didn’t record any stats last year, as he was placed on injured reserve during the preseason.
Related Story. Can the Patriots make a run at the Super Bowl?. light
Knowing Bill Belichick’s success with bringing in unheralded players like this, both Leggett and Kilgo will probably be in for Pro Bowl seasons.