Patriots hosting ex-Dolphins free-agent pass rusher on visit
New England could still use help at outside linebacker.
The New England Patriots aren’t done in free agency after adding help at wide receiver and offensive tackle Wednesday.
The Patriots are hosting edge defender Andrew Van Ginkel on a visit, per a source. Van Ginkel has spent the past four seasons with the Miami Dolphins after being selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin.
Van Ginkel, who’s 6-foot-4, 242 pounds, has 31 starts over 56 games in his NFL career. He has 181 tackles, 11 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 38 QB hits, one interception, 13 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown in his career. In limited snaps last season, he had .5 sack and four QB hits.
The Patriots currently have Deatrich Wise, Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins and Josh Uche on their roster at edge defender. Van Ginkel would add another dependable, veteran rotational option at the position.
Van Ginkel’s most productive seasons came in 2020 when he had 5.5 sacks and 10 QB hits and in 2021 when he had four sacks and 20 QB hits.
