There's still plenty of time for the Patriots to make a move in free agency. And they could make an early-round draft choice to address their pass-rush for 2019.
But Adrian Clayborn -- last season's primary sub-rusher in New England -- has been released, and there's a role up for grabs. At this stage, the front-runner for the gig could be third-year end Derek Rivers.
Rivers played in just seven games last season, seeing 97 total snaps. Though it was a small sample size, it's relatively clear how the Patriots viewed him, as over 81 percent of Rivers' plays came as a pass-rusher.
A healthy scratch for the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIII, Rivers recorded his first sack as a pro in Week 17 as he helped cut into Clayborn's workload when Clayborn was a healthy scratch at the end of the regular season.
Rivers was the Patriots' first selection, a third-rounder, in the 2017 NFL Draft. He showed some promise in his first training camp, making a significant jump in competition from Youngstown State to the NFL, but he tore his ACL during joint practices with the Texans at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
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After months of rehab and working to develop his upper-body strength, Rivers got his feet back under him in training camp last year, working extensively with Trey Flowers and fellow 2017 draft pick Deatrich Wise on pass-rush moves long after practices finished up.
“He’s worked hard every day,” Bill Belichick said of Rivers late last season. “Last year we had a ton of injuries at that position. This year, we’ve been totally healthy there so the opportunities — we have more people for the same number of opportunities."
Belichick added: "When he’s had an opportunity, he’s done well with it, both in practice and in games. I think he’s got a really good future. I’m glad we have him. He could be a good player. I think he is a good player. It’s just kind of a little bit of a situational thing right now."
With Clayborn's release, the situation there has changed. Which could mean Rivers is due for a more prominent role.
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