Patriots kick-off 2016 in 96 days: Profiling No. 96 Terrance Knighton
Welcome to another installment in Musket Fire’s annual jersey number-dictated New England Patriots kick-off countdown series. For the duration of the summer, we will be profiling the player whose jersey number corresponds with the number of days left until the Patriots open the season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 11. Since today marks 96 days until the Sunday Night Football opener, we are profiling No. 96, veteran defensive tackle Terrance Knighton.
Size: 6-foot-3, 355 pounds
College: Temple
2015 stats (with Redskins): 29 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks
NFL experience: Seven seasons (age 30)
Hometown: Windsor, CT
Knighton started all 15 games he appeared in for the Redskins last season. In fact, the only game Knighton missed as the Week 9 game against… the Patriots. So Knighton hasn’t played against the Patriots since his days with the Denver Broncos.
Quick thoughts on Terrance Knighton signing
The largest player on the Patriots’ roster, Knighton should factor heavily into the defensive line rotation this season. He is the definition of a space eater, the exact type of player that a nickel-loving defensive coordinator like Matt Patricia needs to ensure a lineup of five defensive backs isn’t vulnerable against the run.
AFC Power Rankings: Pats top post-draft edition
With that in mind, it’s safe to pencil-in Knighton as the No. 3 defensive tackle entering 2016 behind sophomore pro Malcom Brown and dependable Pats veteran Alan Branch. Knighton ought to fend off Vincent Valentine, Markus Kuhn and others in training camp.
Recent installments in Patriots kick-off countdown series:
99 days – No. 99 Vincent Valentine
Last week, Knighton appeared in our 32 interesting facts about 32 offseason additions piece. We detailed exactly how Knighton gained the nickname “Pot Roast”. It’s a pretty funny story.
Next: Depth chart prediction: Pre-minicamp edition
Tomorrow marks 95 days until the Patriots open 2016 in the Arizona desert. Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we profile No. 95, defensive end Chris Long.