Patriots make first post-draft signing with ex-Giants linebacker
The New England Patriots linebacker room just got a little boost.
As announced by the team on Tuesday, the Patriots are signing former Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines. The Pats did not address linebacker in the 2024 NFL Draft, but did add Texas’ Jett Bush and Georgia State’s Jontrey Hunter as undrafted rookies. Ximines becomes the Pats’ first post-draft addition.
Ximines measures at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds. He played only three games in the 2023 season for the Giants, as he missed nine of 12 games with a quadriceps injury. The Giants released him during Week 13, after they’d defeated, coincidentally, the Patriots.
Oshane Ximines (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
A rotational edge defender, Ximines played only 25% of defensive snaps and 55.9% of special teams snaps in games he was active. The Giants originally drafted him 95th overall in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He lined up on the defensive line on 49 of his 53 defensive snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.
Now listed as a linebacker after coming into the league as a defensive end, Ximines joins an already-deep Patriots linebacker room that includes Matthew Judon, Joshua Uche, and Anfernee Jennings, and that’s just the outside guys that project as regulars in the lineup.
In addition, the Pats have Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu, Raekwon McMillan, Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, and Sione Takitaki among their linebacker group. So, Ximines will simply add another body to the competition for snaps on both defense and special teams at camp.
MORE: 2024 Patriots UDFA tracker
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5 Patriots UDFAs with the best chance to make the roster
RB DeShaun Fenwick, Oregon State
Sep 23, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Deshaun Fenwick (1) carries the ball into the end zone against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 38-35. Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Fenwick may have the best chance of any of the UDFAs to make the roster. A bowling ball back at 6-foot, 223 pounds he should be able to compete with Kevin Harris for the third running back spot on the roster. He could fill a goal-line role if the Patriots want to take some more physical carries off Rhamondre Stevenson’s plate.
Part of the reason Fenwick didn’t get drafted may be lack of experience/exposure. Despite a six-year college career (three at South Carolina, then three at Oregon State) he surpassed the 100-carry mark just once, in 2022. If Jerod Mayo’s staff handles the preseason anything like Bill Belichick’s did, he should get plenty of run in this preseason and give the Patriots a chance to see what he’s capable of.
TE Jacob Warren, Tennessee
Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren (87) makes a catch during a football game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Saul Young/News Sentinel/USA Today Network)
Warren is another player who has a good chance to make the roster because he offers something the Patriots don’t currently have on their roster. At 6-foot-6, 251 pounds Warren is more of a blocker at the tight end spot than a receiver – which contrasts to the styles of Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper.
If the Patriots want another tight end for jumbo packages, Warren fits the mold. He’s not just an inline blocker either, he’s proven to be effective in that role from multiple alignments.
LB Jontrey Hunter, Georgia State
Sep 25, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tank Bigsby (4) is tackled by Georgia State Panthers linebacker Jontrey Hunter (1) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
In terms of pre-draft projections, Hunter is the highest-rated UDFA. He was invited to the Combine, and was initially projected as a late Day 3 pick.
As a rangy off-ball linebacker Hunter certainly has the skillset to be a regular special teams contributor. He also will likely compete for a depth passing-down linebacker role after the departure of Mack Wilson.
S Dell Pettus, Troy
Nov 12, 2022; Troy, Alabama, USA; Troy Trojans safety Dell Pettus (31) recovers a fumble against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Pettus is the kind of versatile defensive back the Patriots have historically liked. A five-year starter at Troy he logged 1,341 snaps as a free safety, 1,221 as a box safety, and 885 as a slot cornerback.
He’s a bit undersized as a box safety at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds but free safety and slot cornerback are the Patriots’ bigger needs anyway – especially free safety. The question will be if he has the explosiveness to play on the back end – he ran a 4.5-second 40 with a 33.5-inch vertical at his pro day. Pettus is a strong tackler, which certainly helps his case for a special teams role.
CB Mikey Victor, Alabama State
Alabama State defensive back Mikey Victor (16) intercepts a pass intended for Arkansas-Pine Bluff’ Raequan Prince (80) during the Turkey Day Classic in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday November 24, 2022. (Mickey Welsh/Advertiser/USA Today Network)
After Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots boundary cornerback depth chart is totally up in the air. Jonathan Jones could take the spot opposite him on the boundary, or could move back into the slot after Myles Bryant’s departure in free agency. So whether we’re starting from the second or third spot on the depth chart, there will be a lot to figure out beyond that.
An FCS All-American and two-year starter for the Hornets who checks in at 6–foot-2, 209 pounds, Victor should be a part of that conversation. He’ll be competing with Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden, Azizi Hearn, and fellow rookie Marcellas Dial for the team’s depth or rotational boundary cornerback spots. Victor played just 15 special teams snaps total over the last two years at ASU.
