Patriots fill need in free agency with familiar face
The Patriots finally signed a free agent from outside the organization.
The New England Patriots reportedly are reuniting with offensive tackle Calvin Anderson four years after originally signing him as an undrafted free agent out of Texas.
The Patriots have agreed to terms with Anderson on a two-year contract, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday. Anderson has spent the last four seasons with the Denver Broncos after a brief stint with the New York Jets.
The Patriots signed Anderson in 2019 after the draft but cut him in May 13, 2019. He’s started 12 games over the last three seasons including 11 at left tackle. The Patriots need a starting-caliber tackle to join Trent Brown on New England’s offensive line with Isaiah Wynn hitting free agency. Anderson joins Brown, Conor McDermott and Andrew Stueber at the position. Right guard Michael Onwenu has also played right tackle.
It’s likely Anderson, 26, will serve as a backup swing tackle for the Patriots as they continue to search for a starting left or right tackle to play across from Brown, who has positional versatility. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle could start in a pinch if New England can’t find a better option, however. He let up two sacks, three QB hits and 17 pressures in 439 snaps at left tackle last season.
If the Patriots can't find a suitable starting tackle in free agency, then they have the option to take a starting left tackle of the future with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Patriots previously re-signed cornerback Jonathan Jones, linebacker Raekwon McMillan and defensive tackle Carl Davis, traded tight end Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons and lost wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in free agency to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Featured image via Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
