So far, it’s been a relatively quiet first day of the legal tampering period for the Patriots. They began the day by trading Jonnu Smith and have since re-signed two of their own players, but have not yest made an external acquisition.

Still, that doesn’t mean they haven’t been trying. One of the latest signings around the league helped reveal they’ve made a push at a position of need.

• Late Monday afternoon, the Tennessee Titans signed former Philadelphia Eagles tackle Andre Dillard. In reporting the signing, ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweeted that “the New England Patriots were competing for the player. Titans win him.”

  Dillard ended up going to the Titans on a three-year, $29 million deal. The guaranteed money breakdown of the contract hasn’t  yet been reported.

  With Isaiah Wynn a pending free agent and Trent Brown in the final year of his deal, the Patriots figured to be in the market at the tackle position. Dillard profiled as a potential Patriot signing – a 2019 first-round pick who didn’t quite play up to his draft selection. After spending 2019 and 2021 as the Eagles’ starting left tackle (he missed the 2020 season due to injury), he began 2022 on IR and when he returned was used in a reserve guard role instead of at tackle. Still, with his upside he was projected as one of the top players at the position available this offseason.

  Dillard wasn’t the only top tackle to sign on Monday. The Broncos signed Mike McGlinchey to a five-year, $87.5 million dollar deal while Jawaan Taylor went to the Chiefs for $80 million ($60 million guaranteed) over four years. If the Patriots are still looking to add at tackle, the top remaining free agents at the position include Orlando Brown, Kaleb McGary, Kelvin Beachum, and Donovan Smith.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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