The New England Patriots’ busy offseason reportedly won’t include the addition of Nick Fairley.
Fairley recently said he planned to meet with the Patriots during this week’s NFL Annual Meeting in Boca Raton, Fla., but NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that New England is “out” on the free-agent defensive tackle.
According to Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints are expected to sign Fairley, who spent last season with the St. Louis Rams after spending his first four seasons with the Detroit Lions.
Fairley has evolved into a solid rotational player since failing to meet expectations as a starter alongside Ndamukong Suh in Detroit. The Lions drafted Fairley in the first round (13th overall) in 2011, and he posted 5.5 sacks and 6 sacks during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, respectively.
The Patriots could use an interior lineman after losing Akiem Hicks to the Chicago Bears in free agency. As it stands, Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, and Dominique Easley sit atop New England’s depth chart.
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
