Patriots Sign Veteran Linebacker For Special Teams Help

The New England Patriots are adding depth to their special teams. Head coach Bill Belichick made yet another signing. The list of free-agent signings is longer now.

The Patriots added veteran linebacker LaRoy Reynolds on Wednesday. He share the big news on Instagram.

Reynolds is 20 and he is experienced and well-traveled. He played 115 games for five teams since joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Reynolds won’t really help the Patriots defense as he hasn’t seen more than 4 percent of his team’s defensive snaps since the 2016 NFl season. Reynolds never played more than 12 percent. However, he will definitely be a core special teamer if he makes the active roster.

Patriots boost special teams

Reynolds has seen more than 240 special teams snaps in six of the last seven years. He failed to hit this mark in 2016. The talented player struggled with injuries and was limited to nine games. Reynolds played in all 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. He played 275 snaps in the kicking game whick makes 61 percent and 40 on defense which makes 4 percent.

The Patriots had the league’s best special teams in 2020. They led the NFL in both Football Outsiders’ special teams DVOA and Rick Gosselin’s annual special teams rankings. The team re-signed Justin Bethel and Cody Davis earlier this month. They will probably get kicking game mainstay Brandon Bolden back this season.

Outside linebacker John Simon ranked second among Patriots front-seven defenders in special teams in 2020. He stands behind Chase Winovich who is an unrestricted free agent. The same applies to Shilique Calhoun who is a core special teamer when healthy and strong.

Reynolds is the 13^th external player to ink a deal with the Patriots this offseason. He joins linebackers Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy and Raekwon McMillan; defensive linemen Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson and Montravius Adams; defensive back Jalen Mills; tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne; and center/guard Ted Karras.