S Taylor Rapp
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 08: Taylor Rapp #24 of the Los Angeles Rams takes the field prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 08, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Rapp’s meeting with the Patriots was reported Thursday morning, and we covered his fit more extensively then here. The 25-year-old 2019 second-round pick has transitioned from a box safety role to playing over 500 snaps at deep safety in each of the last two years with the Rams. An instinctive player and strong tackler, Rapp could be a big piece of the puzzle of how the Patriots replace Devin McCourty. While the Patriots missed out on the top tier of tackles in free agency (Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell, Jordan Poyer, Juan Thornhill), Rapp represents the top of the next group.
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 23: Andrew Van Ginkel #43 of the Miami Dolphins tackles Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Van Ginkel also visited with the Patriots Thursday morning. A 6-foot-4, 236 pound outside linebacker, he’s been a rotational edge defender for the Dolphins since being drafted in the fifth round in 2019. Van Ginkel, 27, had a career year in 2021 with 71 tackles, four sacks, and seven pass breakups, but saw his defensive role decrease by more than half in 2022. Throughout his career, he’s been a regular special teams contributor. Van Ginkel also reportedly visited with the Raiders on Thursday.
DE Trey Flowers
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Trey Flowers #90 of the Detroit Lions lines up during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 18, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The Patriots are about due for a reunion signing this offseason, aren’t they? Could that reunion be with Flowers, who they drafted in the fourth round in 2015 and who played a key role on two Super Bowl-winning defenses?
Flowers left New England as a free agent in 2019 to join the Detroit Lions. His first season in Detroit was on-par with what he did in New England, but in the three seasons since injuries have been an issues, and he’s played a total of 18 games. Still just 29 years old, if he’s fully healthy he’d give the Patriots a good stout edge setter opposite Matthew Judon.
WR Bisi Johnson
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 08: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bisi Johnson #81 catches a pass for a touchdown as Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye #24 defends during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
At one point, Johnson was ahead of Justin Jefferson on the Vikings’ wide receiver depth chart. The 2019 seventh-round pick was benched in favor of the now-Offensive Player of the Year three weeks into the 2020 season, but as a regular contributor for the Vikings in his first two NFL seasons he caught 45 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns. However, he’s missed the last two seasons after tearing an ACL the last two summers (one tear in each knee). At 25-years-old, he’d be a flyer pickup for the Patriots.
ILB/ST Chris Board
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 11: Chris Board #49 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a play during the second half in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field on September 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Last season Board played 80 percent of the Lions’ defensive snaps, while also contributing 160 plays on defense. The 27-year-old former UDFA is regarded as one of the best coverage players in the league, with Bill Belichick calling him “the best special teams player we’ll play against all year,” last October. “He’s great. A great player,” Belichick added. Improving their special teams units is a must for the Patriots this offseason, and adding Board could be a part of that.
