Decision-makers for NFL teams are congregating in Boca Raton, Florida this week for the league’s spring owners’ meetings, but that doesn’t mean those clubs are putting their free agency pursuits on hold. According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com (via Twitter), free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley was on his way to the owners’ meetings this morning to meet with the Patriots.
A free agent a year ago, Fairley signed a one-year pact with the Rams, and was a rotational piece on the team’s talented defensive line in 2015, appearing in less than 40% of the defensive snaps. Although he wasn’t a full-time player and his counting stats were modest (29 tackles and 0.5 sacks), the former first-round pick graded out as a top-25 interior defender, according to Pro Football Focus.
Since he hit the open market earlier this month, Fairley has a paid a visit to the Saints and has also been linked to the Jets and Eagles, though he hasn’t formally met with those teams. Speaking to Wagoner (Twitter link), Fairley confirmed his visit to New Orleans and said that he’s still talking to the Rams as well. It sounds as if the veteran defender is letting the process play out and hasn’t eliminated any suitors from contention.
The Patriots are in the market for some help at defensive tackle after seeing Akiem Hicks and Sealver Siliga depart in free agency.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
This would be sweet!
I’m sure Fairley’s a little disappointed that his career hasn’t led to more at this point, but he would fit nicely into the void left by Hicks as a stout interior defender who can get after the passer on occasion.