The New England Patriots are coming into the offseason after losing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner and that could lead the team to target Ronald Darby along with players like TJ Yeldon, Breshad Perriman and Carl Davis and this comes as Rolando McClain is visiting the team as a free agent following Dont'a Hightower's surgery.
The Patriots won the Super Bowl and they have a strong roster coming back, but there are some spots where the team lacks depth. According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots are bringing in Rolando McClain for a free agent visit and this comes after the Cowboys have not made an effort to re-sign him. The Cowboys acquired McClain after he was with the Ravens and he had a solid season in 2014, but he is facing a suspension and the Cowboys did not seriously look at bringing him back.
Dont'a Hightower suffered a shoulder injury and had surgery this offseason and that could lead to the team adding another linebacker in free agency or the draft. According to the Boston Herald, Hightower will be out for up to seven months and while he could be ready for the season, things could be very close based on his recovery time. The team opens training camp in July and he will not be ready for that. Last season Hightower had 89 tackles and six sacks and also made the most important play of the Super Bowl.
Mike Reiss at ESPN Boston writes that McClain could be a solid fit for the Patriots, as he could add depth with an already strong group of Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins. Hightower is injured as mentioned above and Mayo has also dealt with injuries in the past and Reiss adds that McClain has experience and has size that fits what the Pats like to do on defense.
McClain did not have a good start to his career in Oakland, but he had a strong season in Dallas in 2014 and he could build on that in 2015. McClain is facing a suspension, but Reiss adds that the team took Browner when he also dealt with some issues and that worked out well, as he helped the team win the Super Bowl.
The Patriots have a number of needs remaining this offseason, including at guard, wide receiver, running back, cornerback and linebacker, according to Field Yates at ESPN. The team may look at Ronald Darby as an option, as he has good ball skills and could be a good way to try and replace Revis and Browner on the roster. Reiss adds that TJ Yeldon also could be a late round option for the team.
Carl Davis has come up in numerous mock drafts for the Patriots and he is another player to keep an eye on. Davis has high marks coming out of Iowa and at defensive tackle he could help replace Vince Wilfork. The Patriots do not pick until the end of the first round and with Davis a likely first round pick, there is a chance he doesn't make it that far.