Patriots build new practice squad, including former Cowboys QB Garrett Gilbert, Lions LB Jahlani Tavai

The Patriots filled 15 of the 16 spots on their practice squad Wednesday, starting with familiar faces in backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and former starting kicker Nick Folk.

Hoyer and Folk were among the 21 players the Pats released on cutdown day. They can be signed to the active roster at any time and/or temporarily promoted for the team’s season opener against Miami on Sept. 12, per new league rules. Rookie Mac Jones is currently the only quarterback on the Pats’ active roster, while rookie Quinn Nordin has been named the starting kicker.

Among their other casualties on cutdown day, the Patriots returned wide receivers Kristian Wilkerson and Tre Nixon, tight end Matt LaCosse, offensive linemen James Ferentz, Alex Redmond and Will Sherman, defensive lineman Bill Murray, linebacker Tashawn Bower and defensive backs Myles Bryant and D’Angelo Ross.

Of those 10, LaCosse is the most likely player to receive a game-day promotion when healthy. Bryant, who appeared in nine games as a rookie, could also see regular-season action in the coming months. The Patriots rounded out their practice squad with a few outside additions.

According to ESPN, the Pats reached an agreement with former Cowboys quarterback Garrett Gilbert. The 30-year-old backup was released this week and previously spent time with the Patriots in 2014 and 2015. Since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, Gilbert has appeared in seven games, completing 23 of 44 passes for 283 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Former Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai reportedly signed after receiving his release following two disappointing seasons in Detroit. Tavai was selected with the 43rd overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Hawaii. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, he was a viewed as a potential fit for the Patriots defense coming out of college.

Instead, former Lions coach Matt Patricia, now the Patriots’ Senior Football Adviser, snatched him up two rounds earlier than most draft experts predicted he would go. Following a so-so rookie campaign, Tavai bottomed out as one of the lowest-graded linebackers in the NFL last year at Pro Football Focus. He struggled against the run, in coverage and as a pass rusher.

Tavai’s experience in Patricia’s system should nonetheless lessen his learning curve in New England.

The Pats also added former Ravens rookie fullback Ben Mason. A fifth-round pick out of Michigan, Mason was revered for his physicality as a former defensive player who transitioned to fullback late in his college career. His game needs refining, but he’s expected to give starting fullback Jakob Johnson instant competition on the active roster.

Mason can also be expected to contribute immediately on special teams if/when he’s promoted.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3BBOJMn