The New England Patriots acquired veteran defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga from the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday afternoon.
The Patriots receive Sopoaga and a 2014 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for a 2014 fifth-round draft pick from the Eagles.
The move went down in the final minutes of the NFL trade deadline.
Analysis: This is a great trade for the Patriots. Not only do they acquire a player at a position of need, but they do for almost nothing. Essentially, New England traded down from the fifth to sixth round in 2014 for Sopoaga.
The 32-year-old Sopoaga gives the Pats a big bodied (6-2, 330), savvy veteran, that offers some interior line help. With Kelly sidelined with a knee injury and Vince Wilfork out for the season, the defensive tackle position was dangerously thin.
Since Wilfork has been placed on Injured-Reserve, the Pats have given up 156.5 rushing yards-per-game; which is 646 total rushing yards allowed in the last four contests.
Sopoaga has been a base defensive player for the majority of his entire career. He was a member of the San Francisco 49ers, before signing a three-year deal with the Eagles this offseason.
The Pats will pay Sopoaga $529,000 this year and inherit two non-guaranteed 2014 and 2015 salaries of $3.75 and $3.5 million.
His addition also keeps rookies Chris Jones and Joe Vellano fresh for sub package reps. As an ideal nose tackle, Sopoaga fits perfectly as New England has favored a 3-4 base defense the last few weeks.
The Patriots and Eagles transaction for Sopoaga was the only move made by all NFL teams at the trade deadline.
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