Report: Patriots Eye Terrance Knighton After Nick Fairley Picks Saints

Free-agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley reportedly chose to sign with the New Orleans Saints over the Patriots on Monday morning, and it didn’t take New England long to move on.

The Patriots are hosting another free-agent defensive tackle, Terrance Knighton, on a visit Monday, a source told NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Knighton, 29, played last season with the Washington Redskins, The 2009 third-round draft pick began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and played with the Denver Broncos in 2013 and 2014.

The Hartford, Conn., native has 14 sacks and 230 tackles in seven NFL seasons. At 6-foot-3, 354 pounds, Knighton is a starting-caliber player who could have a versatile role in the Patriots’ defense.

The Patriots are bringing back starting defensive tackles Malcom Brown and Alan Branch. They also have Dominique Easley, Chris Jones, Frank Kearse, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen and Joe Vellano as depth. The Patriots lost Akiem Hicks and Sealver Siliga in free agency this offseason.

The Redskins also are interested in re-signing Knighton, according to Rapoport.

Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images