With the NFL free agent frenzy well underway, it's time to take an in-depth look at the key signings made by the Patriots throughout the next few weeks.
Player: Jabaal Sheard
Position: Defensive End / Outside Linebacker
Former Team: Cleveland Browns
Grade: A
After a wave of depression swept New England in the aftermath of Darrelle Revis signing with the New York Jets Tuesday night, the Patriots made their first significant addition.
Sheard, a 2011 second-round draft pick out of Pittsburgh, has posted 23 sacks the last four years. The 6'3, 264 pound edge player had his most productive season his rookie year, when he was used as a 4-3 defensive end and tallied 8.5 sacks.
Along with offering some pass rush ability, he also is known to be stout against the run.
The 25-year-old (he turns 26 in May) has dealt with three different defensive coordinators during his time in Cleveland, and also was moved to a 3-4 outside linebacker because of the change in philosophies.
While he showed the versatility to play standing up, he has been more effective with his hand on the ground in a 4-3 defense. Note: 15.5 sacks in his first two seasons as 4-3 DE, 7.5 sacks previous two seasons as 3-4 OLB.
Sheard has been durable throughout his four years in the NFL, missing just three games in his career all in the 2013 season.
The Patriots signed Sheard to a two-year, $11 million contract with $5.5 million guaranteed Wednesday evening.
Text from one league source on Patriots landing former Browns LB/DE Jabaal Sheard: "Will be top 5 signing of free agency, guarantee it."— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2015
So why is this signing an "A"? For several reasons.
For starters, he's a young, versatile and tough edge player that gives New England more flexibility in the front-seven. Also, Sheard will have the benefit of coaching stability.
His best football is ahead of him.
With current defensive ends, Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones, playing such a high level of snaps the past two seasons -- no defensive lineman in the NFL played a higher percentage of snaps than Ninkovich in 2014 -- this move will allow the team to rotate in a third quality player to keep everyone fresh.
In today's NFL, you cannot have enough guys to attack opposing quarterbacks.
An interesting note, current Patriots front office member Michael Lombardi was the General Manager in Cleveland when the team drafted Sheard in 2011. New England was also rumored to be interested in Sheard, but ended up selecting cornerback Ras-I Dowling (whoops) four spots ahead of him in the second-round.
A fresh start for a talented player, along with a need filled and under a reasonable contract for the team, this is a win-win.
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