Former Jets Player May Be An Upgrade For Patriots At Defensive Tackle

The New England Patriots added a bunch of players to the roster. This time they may sign a former Jets defensive tackle.

Former Jets defensive tackle Mike Pennel is joining the Patriots after inking a two-year deal. Former Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown signed a contract with the Saints before the signing of Pannel happened. His arrival may affect the end of Danny Shelton’s time with the team.

Even if Brown was available at the time, that contract may still have been to happen after Pennel who is considered an upgrade at that position.

Pennel will start alongside Lawrence Guy in 2019, and that could result in a pretty dangerous one-two on the interior of the Patriots’ defensive line.

Guy (90.1) and Pennel (87.1) were considered the highest graded interior defensive linemen in the AFC East last season, as reported by Pro Football Focus. This includes Shelton and Brown who weren’t even added inside the top-5 among the division’s interior linemen.

New England wasn’t interested in retaining Brown and were more interested in landing Pennel than Shelton who is still trying to find a home in the NFL. The team declined both of the fifth year options last season which was an early sign that they had no plans for either player.

Pennel was active in all 16 games with the Jets in 2018 and had seven starts. He totaled 27 tackles and two quarterback hits in the regular season. Pennel was an undrafted free agent in 2014 and first entered the league with the Green Bay Packers. He joined the Jets in 2017, and stayed there until this offseason.

In New England, he will be used in early down situations against the run, and his new teammate in fellow defensive tackle Adam Butler will be used in pass-rushing situations in this season.