Patriots add former Pro Bowl pass rusher off waivers

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A New England Patriots helmet sits on the sideline during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are working to shore up their bottom-10 defense this season.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Friday that the Patriots have claimed veteran pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers. Ngakoue had just been waived by the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week.

The 29-year-old Ngakoue, a former third-round pick, was a Pro Bowler with the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2017 and also co-led the league in forced fumbles that year with six. Since then however, Ngakoue has been on five different NFL teams with the Patriots now marking his sixth.

Ngakoue still brings some value to the table though with 70.5 career sacks to his name, including 5.5 over the last one-and-a-half seasons. While it is true that no signing will save the 2-7 Pats at this point, the addition of Ngakoue may at least help them tread water (especially amid the recent hot-seat rumors surrounding head coach Jerod Mayo).