The New England Patriots are bringing a big edge defender to Foxboro on Wednesday for a free-agent visit.
The Patriots are hosting defensive end Matt Shaughnessy, a league source told ESPN’s Field Yates. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound pass rusher played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 after spending the first four years of his career with the Oakland Raiders.
The 27-year-old edge defender had 36 tackles and three sacks in 16 games at outside linebacker last season. He started 12 games and recorded five quarterback hits and 19 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. His best season came in 2010 at defensive end for the Raiders, when had seven sacks with three quarterback hits and 18 hurries.
Shaughnessy was selected No. 71 overall in the third round of the 2009 draft. He’s known as a better run defender than pass rusher and has proven to be capable in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. The Patriots ran both alignments in 2013. Shaughnessy likely would serve as depth behind starters Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich.
Have a question for Doug Kyed? Send it to him via Twitter at @DougKyedNESN or send it here.
