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Patriots free agency: Who will be this year’s Jabaal Sheard?

By Connor Fulton

Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) reacts after a play against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) reacts after a play against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots free agency Ramon Humber
Nov 9, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is sacked by New Orleans Saints inside linebacker Ramon Humber (53) during overtime at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The 49ers won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ramon Humber

Chances of being this year’s Sheard: 0.5/10

Look, Humber isn’t about to put together a Pro Bowl campaign or anything like that. The Patriots signed him to boost their linebacker depth and add a proven special teams contributor, and that is exactly what Humber will do in 2016.

It should also be noted that Humber was the Saints’ longest-tenured defensive player before they released him in February, so Humber certainly brings an element of experience to a young core of Patriots’ linebackers.

MUST-READ: 5 Best games from Patriots’ 2015 season

The signing of Shea McClellin, however, indicates that the Patriots are less keen on Humber taking on a large role in the settled defense. It looks like they want to use him primarily on special teams, with the added bonus of backup ability in the event that starters Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins suffer from the injury bug in 2016.

Speaking of McClellin…

Next: 2. Shea McClellin

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