Yesterday was a busy day in Foxboro. First, the New England Patriots and starting right guard Shaq Mason agreed to a five-year, $50 million contract extension. Then, the team saw running back Sony Michel and right tackle Marcus Cannon return to practice. And finally, three new players were brought on board to fill the three vacant spots on the team. Let’s take a closer look at the trio.
RB Kenneth Farrow
After a productive career at Houston, Kenneth Farrow went undrafted in 2016. The then-San Diego Chargers picked him up as a free agent, and he was able to make the team as a reserve back. Injuries pushed Farrow up the depth chart and led to the versatile back appearing in 13 of the Chargers’ games during his rookie year. Before seeing his season end with a shoulder injury in December, he amassed 73 touches for 262 yards. The 5’9, 220 lbs back was unable to bounce back from the injury in 2017 spent all of it on injured reserve as well. In April, the Chargers elected to release Farrow.
WR K.J. Maye
K.J. Maye also went unselected during the 2016 NFL draft and was picked up by the New York Giants as a free agent. However, he was unable to stick with the team and was on the open market from August to December 2016, when the Tennessee Titans added him to their practice squad. The Titans ultimately signed the 5’8, 190 lbs wideout to a futures contract after his rookie year, but decided to waive him shortly afterwards – paving his way to joining the Patriots for the first time. Maye spent 2017’s training camp with the defending world champions but failed to make the roster and subsequently spent the entire season out of football. Now, he is back in Foxboro.
RB Khalfani Muhammad
As opposed to Farrow and Maye, Khalfani Muhammad heard his name called on draft day: he was picked by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round last year. The Cal product started his rookie season on the Titans’ practice squad before getting promoted to their active roster in late December. The 5’7, 175 lbs running back did not see any in-game action, though, and was released during the offseason. Muhammad remained on the open market since April, and now joins New England’s backfield.
Considering their past production and that they joined the Patriots this late during the process, none of the three players should be expected to make New England’s 53-man roster or even their practice squad. However, they offer depth at crucial positions heading into the final week of the preseason and could potentially turn into emergency in-season call-ups in case of injury.