We're already a few weeks into NFL Free Agency, and while the New England Patriots have been among the most active teams early, they might not be done yet. With that in mind, here are all of the interesting rumors and news tidbits around the Patriots.
Nick Fairley To Meet With Patriots
The Patriots have been surprisingly active this offseason and might not be done yet. They are visiting with DT Nick Fairley.
Rams free-agent DT Nick Fairley on my flight to owners meetings this am. He tells me he's heading there to meet with the Patriots.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) March 21, 2016
Fairley has talent, but didn't produce a ton as a backup for the Rams. If he comes cheaply, the Patriots could get quite the addition.
New England Still Hoping For First Round Pick
Speaking of the Patriots, they are still hoping to get the first round pick back that was stripped from them over Deflategate. New England owner Robert Kraft wrote a letter to Roger Goodell, asking for that pick back. There is no word yet on Goodell's response. Don't expect the NFL to give New England back the pick, as the NFL seems committed to punishing the Patriots.
Patriots Targeting Jordan Howard In Draft?
New England is looking to the draft to add running back depth, and Indiana's Jordan Howard is someone the Patriots are looking hard at. PatsFans.com's Steve Balestrieri explains why Howard would be a good fit in Foxborough:
Jordan Howard is a perfect candidate for the Patriots to target in the upcoming NFL Draft. Coming from Indiana, he played one season in the Big Ten, and was granted immediate transfer eligibility after UAB canceled their football program a year ago. And what a season he had, rushing for an average of 134.5 yards per game. In the six games where he got 20 or more touches, his average skyrocketed to 181.5 yards per game, including a tremendous 238 yard effort against Michigan.
He finished his sole season with the Hoosiers with 196 carries for 1213 yards and nine touchdowns. He added 11 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield.
Howard has the proto-typical size of an NFL power back at 6’0, 230 and has a thick, powerful build. He has good vision and will follow his blockers to daylight and has decent lateral agility for a big man. Howard loves contact and likes to lay punishing hits on defenders who try to stand him up. His yards after contact are impressive, will keep his legs moving and will move the pile and the sticks in short yardage.
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