The New England Patriots released Dominique Easley on Wednesday, reportedly for reasons related to his unreliability and immaturity. This caught Easley’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, by surprise, especially since the Patriots spent a first-round draft pick on the defensive end in 2014.
“I did not anticipate this. This came as a tremendous shock,” Rosenhaus said Wednesday on SiriusXM Radio, according to WEEI.com. “I really viewed him as an up-and-coming dynamo at the defensive line position. I enjoyed watching him play. I’m not aware of anything significant off the field that would be a factor.”
Easley, whose senior season at Florida in 2013 was cut short because of a torn ACL, appeared in 22 games (starting three) over two seasons with the Patriots after being selected 29th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. He finished both seasons with New England on injured reserve.
Easley performed well, albeit in a limited role, when healthy, but off-the-field issues reportedly led to his release. Rosenhaus, who just started representing the 24-year-old earlier this week, insists there isn’t anything specific that should alarm other NFL teams.
“The young man has been terrific when he’s played,” Rosenhaus said, per WEEI.com. “I think it’s just a combination of things that (the Patriots) weren’t comfortable with. I don’t think any of them are major. I really think Dom is going to be back on a team very soon. He’s a young man — he’s only played two years. He’s got a tremendous amount of talent.”
Easley could go down as the biggest first-round draft bust of the Bill Belichick era.
Thumbnail photo via Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports Images
