The Patriots wrapped up minicamp without practicing on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t working.
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that the team has signed defensive end Jake Bequette. Bequette was the 90th overall pick out of Arkansas in April and was one of many players that the Patriots took in order to shore up their front seven this season.
Bequette played both defensive end and outside linebacker during college and the Patriots’ use of multiple fronts means that he could do the same in the NFL. He’s big enough to play the end in 3-4 looks and his 10 sacks last season for Arkansas speak to his ability to rush the passer off the edge. First-round pick Chandler Jones is expected to get a look in those spots as well, but Bequette should have plenty of chances to earn playing time when the Patriots reconvene for training camp next month.
Bequette won’t be able to brush up on his playbook in hopes of boosting his chances during the time off. Bill Belichick said Thursday that the team won’t be sending their players home with playbooks because they will be modifying them right up until the start of camp. The existence of Twitter may have also played a little bit of a role in that decision.
