Patriots Looking For DL Depth – Red Bryant On the Market
Former Seahawk/Jaguar could be a big run-stuffing addition
The Patriots, in an attempt to build up the front seven after the losses of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in free agency must have taken notice of the release of Jaguar DL Red Bryant on Thursday. The Patriots have been interested in Bryant in the past and he could fill a role for them now.
Bryant who will turn 31 on April 18, is a 6’4, 325 two-gap, run stuffer who would project to be an interior defensive tackle. He played mainly a 5 technique DE in Seattle’s complex base defense. He played mainly as a strong side DT in the Jaguars scheme.
The Patriots made an attempt to woo Bryant to New England back in 2012 before he decided to return to Seattle.
“The Patriots were interested and I definitely was listening. I thought it was a great opportunity for me, and the likelihood of me going there was high,” Bryant said.
Bryant decided to stay in Seattle citing family reasons, “I feel like my situation here, it was great for me and my family, and that’s what it basically came down to …my familiarity with Seattle, and the guys I’m playing next to,” he added.
Last season Bryant signed a big contract with the Jaguars, a four-year deal worth $19 million with $5.5 million in guarantees. He was re-united with former Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley in Jacksonville and started all 16 games, notching 23 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in 2014.
Due a $500,000 roster bonus, the Jaguars dumped Bryant and decided to go younger at the position, re-signing DL Tyson Alualu and then inking former Dolphin Jared Odrick to a $42.5 million dollar contract on Thursday. Odrick has the versatility to play end or tackle and his signing made Bryant expendable.
With rumors that Vince Wilfork has big offers on the table from at least two other AFC teams, the Patriots could use another big body in the middle next to Sealver Siliga. He could be brought in for a one-year type deal with a relatively small cap hit. Last year we wrote that the Patriots would kick the tires again but thought (correctly), that Jacksonville or Green Bay may offer more for his services. Maybe the third time is a charm for Bryant.
Bryant won’t offer much in the pass rushing department and at this stage of his career he may be breaking down as the big bodies in the middle tend to after age 30. If the Patriots are looking for more of pocket pushers, free agents Michael Johnson, Randy Starks or Nick Fairley would be better fits for that role, although their cost may keep them from coming to New England.
The Patriots have already addressed beefing up the pass rush by signing the former Browns OLB/DE Jabaal Sheard on Wednesday. He’s a three-down type player who is a step up from the now departed Akeem Ayers, who signed with the Rams.
But if they’re looking for a big man who will provide a veteran, calming presence in the locker room, something Wilfork always had done…Bryant may be a nice stop gap measure.
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