New England Patriots To Trade For LB Akeem Ayers, Sign DL Alan Branch

Chandler Jones is out for a month.

However there is some good news, as it was reported that the New England Patriots will be trading for linebacker Akeem Ayers (pending a physical), and signing defensive lineman Alan Branch.

Ayers and Branch are both solid players, and their presence on the front seven will really help a depleted New England front. Ayers is only 25 years old, and this is his fourth season in the NFL. He had an excellent first two years, as he racked up 180 total tackles, but knee surgeries, and some disagreements with the coaching staff has led him to the bench this year, which is probably why the Titans wanted to part ways.

This is a good move for the Pats, as it is a textbook low-risk, high-reward trade. Ayers might make a huge impact with the team, but he also may never see the field. The bottom line is he is a talented linebacker with some freakish athletic skills, and if he can pick up New England’s defense, I think he could help their run defense going forward.

As for Branch, he is the typical talented, but troubled player, as this will be his fourth team in five years, and he is coming off a DUI arrest in August. But if he can get his act together, Branch knows how to eat up space, take on blockers, and really make a difference in the running game.

The Patriots’ pass rush will suffer with Chandler Jones out, but picking up Branch will help their horrific run defense, which was in dire need of some reinforcements after the Jets debacle.