FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots had impeccable timing in adding cornerback Rashaan Melvin.
On the same day Melvin could be claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback Tarell Brown aggravated his foot injury and left tackle Nate Solder was put on injured reserve. The Patriots had been tracking Melvin since he went undrafted in 2013.
“We were on him all the way back to college at Northern Illinois,” Belichick said in his Friday morning news conference. “I think we were close to getting him. He ended up signing with Tampa, and then it’s kind of worked its way through. But he has good size, good length, runs well, tough kid. We had an opening on the roster with Nate (Solder’s) situation so we had an opportunity to look at him.”
Melvin ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in 2013 at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds. He recorded a 38-inch vertical leap, 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump, 7.32-second 3-cone and 4.29-second short shuttle.
The Patriots lacked size in their defensive back corps, so Melvin could help out against bigger receivers. Safeties Brandon King, Duron Harmon, Nate Ebner and Tavon Wilson are over 6-feet, but cornerbacks Brown, Malcolm Butler, Justin Coleman and Logan Ryan all are 5-foot-11.
The Patriots might need Melvin on Sunday when the Patriots play the Colts. Brown missed practice Thursday and Friday after being limited Wednesday, and the Patriots typically carry at least four cornerbacks on their active roster.
Thumbnail photo via Mitch Stringer/USA TODAY Sports Images
