Report: New England Patriots Plan To Sign Free Agent TE, D-Tackle

The New England Patriots plan to sign free agent tight end Jordan Leggett and defensive tackle Darius Kilgo. Ian Rapoport from NFL Media was among the first to confirm the big news. The players visited the Pats last Friday and ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported the information. The contracts are pending the results of the players’ physicals and coronavirus tests.

Leggett adds a nice depth to the Patriots tight end unit. The group lacks experience right now. Matt LaCosse decided to opt-out of the regular season. The 25-year-old was able to catch 14 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown for the New York Jets in 2018. Leggett spent 2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but didn’t see any action in the regular season.

Leggett was a fifth-round draft pick of New York in 2017. He was considered a dangerous receiving threat at Clemson. Leggett had 86 receptions for 1,261 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final two collegiate seasons. Pre-draft scouting reports questioned Leggett’s blocking power. The player lists at 6-foot-5, 258 pounds.

Leggett joins a group comprised of four rookies. Third-round picks Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene and undrafted free agents Jake Burt and Rashod Berry are here and Ryan Izzo is part of the group, too.

The Patriots won’t stick with one free agent

Kilgo is a familiar name in the NFL. He spent most of the second half of the 2016 season on the Pats’ practice squad. Kilgo spent some time with the Patriots, and they cut him after the 2017 preseason. Kilgo has been part of four teams. He played 18 games from the Denver Broncos in 2015 and 2016 and 11 for the Tennessee Titans in 2018. Kilgo signed with the Detroit Lions last offseason. But, the talented player suffered a season-ending injury in August.

The Patriots will have two open roster spots after the signings. Eight players decided to opt out of the regular season. The Patriots signed undrafted rookies Will Hastings, Brian Lewerke and Isaiah Zuber. They also traded for cornerback Michael Jackson. Well, head coach Bill Belichick has a plan for the season. He goes strong in 2020.