Even at 6-2, the New England Patriots keep looking at potential ways to improve their depth. As part of this process, they had seven free agents in town for workouts on Monday.
Running backs Rushawn Baker,
Jonathan Ward and Jordan Waters, wide receivers Eli Pancol and Roc Taylor, and cornerbacks Jalen Kimber and Joshua Pickett all worked out for the club. While none of them were signed immediately, the expectation is that Ward will be added to the practice squad fairly soon.
Ward, 28, entered the NFL as a rookie free agent in 2020 out of Central Michigan. He has since spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and most recently the New York Giants. Along the way, he has appeared in 46 games touching the ball 28 times for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Baker, 22, split his college career between Bucknell and Elon before going undrafted earlier this year. He originally joined the Giants but suffered a knee injury early in training camp and was placed on injured reserve. He was since waived with an injury settlement.
Waters, 24, played college football at Duke and N.C. State and also did not hear his name called in this year’s draft. He spent spring and summer with the Los Angeles Rams, playing in two preseason games — carrying the ball 10 times for 63 yards and a touchdown — before being let go ahead of roster cutdowns in late August.
Pancol, 25, spent his entire six-year college career at Duke, where he played in 57 games and caught 130 passes for 1,710 yards with 14 touchdowns. He saw action in one preseason game with the Jacksonville Jaguars in August, catching two passes for 28 yards before his release later that month.
Taylor, 23, saw action in 43 games at Memphis and was on the receiving end of 162 passes for 2,366 yards and seven touchdowns. An undrafted free agent signing by the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this year, he caught five preseason passes for 77 yards but was let go again in mid-August.
Kimber, 24, has been a journeyman going back to his college career. Spending time at Georgia, Florida and Penn State, he went undrafted earlier this year before landing with the Titans. However, he was let go ahead of the roster cuts deadline and picked up by the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad. He has since been released and re-signed before getting released again earlier this month.
Pickett, 23, was a teammate of Pancol’s at Duke and was also not drafted this year. He joined the Denver Broncos for whom he played in two preseason games and registered an interception. His performance did not prevent him from being let go again by the organization.
With outside linebacker Truman Jones getting poached by the Titans, New England has an open spot on its practice squad. As mentioned above, the belief is that Ward will end up filling it.
The Patriots will host the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium in Week 9.
