Some minor NFL news surfaced on Sunday night when the Cleveland Browns decided to back out of signing veteran defensive end A.J. Epenesa from the Buffalo Bills.
The Browns and Epenesa agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract on March 18, but Cleveland rescinded the offer following his recent physical. With Epenesa now back on the market, should the Patriots consider getting involved?
Buffalo selected Epenesa in the 2020 NFL Draft, where he quickly found his footing. Over the course of 91 games, he made a significant impact with 135 tackles, 24 sacks and 29 tackles for loss.
The Patriots need to bolster their defensive line, and Epenesa would be a solid addition. Although the Browns weren’t impressed with Epenesa’s physical, that doesn’t necessarily mean New England would shy away from signing him.
Every NFL team has a different standard for evaluating a player’s physical. The Browns might have seen something they didn’t like, while New England may have no issues with the same player.
If the Patriots can add Epenesa to their roster, it might help them avoid a pass-rush need with their top picks in this year’s NFL draft. This could allow them to select a player, such as an offensive tackle or a wide receiver.
More NFL: Should Patriots Draft Georgia Pass Catcher As Insider Predicts?