Why NFL Insider Thinks Veteran Defender Got ‘Tough Result’ With Patriots Claim

Yannick Ngakoue went from one of the best teams in the league to one of the worst when the New England Patriots claimed the veteran pass-rusher Friday.

That’s just the way it works sometimes in the NFL.

But the less-than-ideal situation Ngakoue finds himself in was preventable, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Since Ngakoue is a vested veteran — he’s in his ninth NFL season — he could have handpicked where he landed if the Baltimore Ravens did him a solid by releasing him prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Instead, the Ravens took Ngakoue choosing his own destiny out of his hands — all players face the waiver wire if cut following the trade deadline.

“This is a tough result for Ngakoue,” Breer posted on the X platform. “If he was released before the trade deadline, he could pick his new team. Three days later, he’s subject to waivers, and the 2-7 Patriots claim him.”

It’s presumable that an edge rusher with the pedigree of Ngakoue would have enticed a Super Bowl contender — like the Detroit Lions or San Francisco 49ers — to come calling. He only had 1.5 sacks in five games with the Ravens this season but just two years ago compiled 9.5 sacks with the Indianapolis Colts. He registered a career-high 12 sacks to earn Pro Bowl honors with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.

That skillset will be put to use now for the Patriots, who hold the No. 1 pick heading into their Week 10 matchup with the Chicago Bears, as they play in largely meaningless games over the second half of the season. The good news for Ngakoue? He’ll have plenty of opportunity to shine as the Patriots have no premier pass rushers on their roster.

Ngakoue, who is joining his fifth team in four seasons, can pump up his stats playing for the lowly Patriots and catch the eyes of teams who may want to pursue him in free agency during the offseason.

That might be the approach Ngakoue takes because chasing a ring will have to wait until next season.