FOXBORO -- The Patriots have needs at receiver and in the front seven, but when they filled the practice squad spot that was left vacant when DJ Foster signed with the Cardinals, they signed a defensive back.
The move to bring aboard corner Ryan Lewis, a rookie free agent out of Pitt who began his pro career with the Cardinals in the spring, is an indication of how the practice squad can serve as a training ground for players who interest the Patriots regardless of position.
Lewis measures in at 6-feet, 200 pounds and started in all 12 games as a senior last fall, making two picks and recording eight pass breakups. He'll provide some depth for the corner group on the 53-man roster, which features Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Jonathan Jones and Johnson Bademosi.
The Patriots also had in several players for workouts recently, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, including receivers Daniel Braverman, Tevaun Smith, Jahad Thomas and Bryan Walters as well as quarterback Mitch Leidner.
Braverman's name is an interesting one in that he was touted by many -- including Pro Football Focus' Steve Palazzolo on Quick Slants the Podcast -- as a fit for the Patriots in the 2016 draft due to his ability to contribute out of the slot. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder was drafted in the seventh round by the Bears and spent all of last season on Chicago's practice squad. He was waived earlier this month.