Patriots Add Roster Depth with 2 Signings Today
While some Patriot fans are (oddly) confused over the most recent trade in Brandin Cooks, Coach Bill Belichick continues to make all the right moves to set the 2018-19 Patriots up for success. The trade of Cooks is easy to understand as he would have been guaranteed 8.5M this year and then be a free agent with a price tag costing perhaps nearly double that. Instead we get extra draft picks and now for the first time in 20 years we have double picks in both the first and second rounds leaving limitless options to make a trade up or make key picks for team needs.
Coach Belichick continues his chess moves today and signed two key players to add to the depth chart as the Pats signed TE Troy Niklas to a one year contract. Niklas has great size at 6’6 and 270 lbs and has received great marks on his pass blocking and could fit in well behind Gronk and Dwayne Allen unless Allen gets cut to take a big cap savings. Pats also have Jacob Hollister and Will Tye as other tight ends on the roster.
As first reported by @RapSheet, Patriots have signed TE Troy Niklas (6-6, 270). Entered NFL as second-round choice of Cardinals in 2014. Has battled injuries. When healthy, has been more effective as blocker than pass-catcher (19 catches, 203 yards, 3 TDs in four years).
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 4, 2018
Patriots have also reportedly signed another big man in OL Luke Bowanko who has been with Jacksonville for the first 3 years of his career and played in every game last season. He can play both guard and center and can add some key depth to the offensive line.
C/G Luke Bowanko (6-6, 300) entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick out of Virginia in 2014. Has appeared in 40 career games (15 starts, 12 of which came as a rookie). Adds depth/competition on the interior at a time when rosters are at 90 players. https://t.co/eMf6hOSgMA
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 4, 2018