The Patriots were fortunate that their starting corners Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan avoided serious injury last season, and adding some depth to the position was one of the priorities this offseason. According to the Boston Globe, the team added a piece by signing veteran cornerback E.J. Biggers to a one-year deal.
Biggers is a six-year veteran who has spent time with Tampa Bay (2010-12), Washington (2013-14) and Philadelphia (2015). He has started 34 of the 92 games he's played during his career and has 262 tackles and four interceptions during that time.
Biggers started a career-high 12 games in 2012 playing for the Bucs under coach Greg Schiano, a long-time friend of Bill Belichick. Perhaps the connection, as well as time spent during joint practices between the Patriots and Bucs helped facilitate the signing.
Last season with the Eagles, Biggers started just three of his 16 games and finished with 39 tackles, seven passes defensed and no interceptions. He'll enter the mix of corners looking to earn jobs in camp behind Butler and Ryan. That list includes Justin Coleman, Darryl Roberts, Rashaan Melvin and Brock Vereen. The Patriots are also likely to add at least one corner in the draft considering it is one of the thinnest positions on the roster.
