Patriots host 8 defensive free agents for workouts
The Patriots hosted eight free agents – all defensive players – for workouts. As the New England Patriots get ready for their Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, the…
AUBURN, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 30: Ladd McConkey #84 of the Georgia Bulldogs fails to pull in this reception against D.J. James #4 of the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe Patriots hosted eight free agents - all defensive players - for workouts.
As the New England Patriots get ready for their Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, the team is also doing its due diligence when it comes to the current free agent market. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss the team hosted eight players for workouts.
All eight of those players play on the defensive side of the ball. The group includes one defensive lineman, one linebacker, and six defensive backs.
Among the more notable names who visited Foxborough is safety Mark Perry. Perry was a two-year starter at TCU, playing a key role on the team that went to the National Championship in 2022. The Patriots met with Perry multiple times leading up the draft this past spring. Perry ended up going undrafted, and spent the summer with the Miami Dolphins before a brief stint on the Houston Texans' practice squad.
Steph Chambers/Getty Images<em><sup>Safety Mark Perry had a visit with the Patriots. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)</sup></em>
The Patriots also hosted cornerback D.J. James, who was a sixth-round pick out of Auburn by the Seahawks this past spring. James was a multi-year starter for the Tigers and received second-team All-SEC honors in 2022. He was released by Seattle during final roster cuts.
Four other defensive backs visited Foxborough for workouts. That group includes four UDFAs - Miles Battle from Utah, Akeem Dent from Florida State, Kenny Logan from Kansas, and Keni-H Lovely from Western Michigan.
At linebacker the Patriots worked out Andrew Farmer, who went undrafted out of Lane College in 2023. Farmer ended up playing in eight games for the Los Angeles Chargers last year. The Patriots met with Farmer leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Defensive end Keshawn Banks also visited New England. Banks went undrafted last year out of San Diego State. He spent most of the season on the practice squad but was elevated and played briefly in the playoffs.
As of Friday the Patriots' 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad are both full. The team would have to make a corresponding move to add any of these players.
