The New England Patriots have made their first move of the offseason to address the depth of their defensive backfield. According to ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss, the team has agreed to terms on a four year deal with free agent cornerback Kyle Arrington.

Patriots and CB Kyle Arrington have an agreement in principle on a four-year contract, per source.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 15, 2013

This is a solid move for the Patriots. While Arrington struggled at times on the outside in 2012, he was excellent after moving to the slot following the mid-season acquisition of Aqib Talib. He’s a versatile piece who can also contribute on special teams.

The move likely will not handle the way the Patriots handle negotiations with Aqib Talib. The Patriots did not find Arrington effective on the outside – hence his demotion and the acquisition of Talib in the first place. Nonetheless, he does still provide some insurance in that area. And in terms of slot cornerbacks, there aren’t many, if any, better options out there.

More details on the contract will be coming once they’re available.