New England Patriots: 3 underrated signings who will make an impact
Mike Pennel
The New England Patriots lost former first-round pick Malcom Brown to free agency, but it will not be a big loss due to the signing of former New York Jets nose tackle Mike Pennel.
He didn’t come out of college as gifted as Brown, but physically he can fill the role Brown played in the Patriots’ system and may actually be a better run defender.
In signing a two-year deal with the Patriots, the 6-foot-4, 332-pound anterior lineman will have a chance to compete with a starting role will a team he has played against during his six seasons in the NFL.
While Danny Shelton is still exploring the free agent market, Mike Pennel along with veteran Lawrence Guy and talented third-year man Adam Butler gives the New England Patriots more than adequate depth at the position.
The signing also gives Pennel a chance to really shine in a winning culture, something he has praised following his signing with the team.
"“It’s a winning culture,” Pennel said via Patriots.com. “They do things a certain way and they get results and, you know, I want to fall into that culture and be an asset to that culture.”"
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Last season with the Jets, Pennel played in all 16 games and started seven. He totaled 27 tackles and was stout against the run. Expect the new nose tackle to be in on early down situations against run heavy teams and make more of an impact than both Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton did during the 2018 season.