How will the Patriots upgrade their front-seven?
According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, New England is among three final teams, including the Buccaneers, in the running to land free agent outside linebacker Trent Murphy.
The 27-year-old was a second-round pick of the Redskins in 2014, but missed all of last season with a torn ACL. He also was suspended four games last April for performance-enhancing drugs.
His best season was in 2016 when he recorded nine sacks. He would help the Patriots on the edge, which was a problem spot last season.
Murphy had a great college career at Stanford where he played with Jordan Richards and Cameron Fleming.
Coming off the injury, he seems like a player who would be willing to take a one or two-year "prove it" deal, which would be something the Patriots would probably like.