The New England Patriots have officially reached a mutual agreement to sign Ochaun Mathis, who is set to fill the void left by the traded Josh Uche. While Uche’s departure netted the Patriots a future draft pick, it also created a need for a credible pass rusher on the edge.
Mathis, a former practice squad member, is described as an “ascending second-year edge presence” with impressive physical attributes at 6’5″ and 250 pounds. ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted that he possesses “elite length” and potential as a rusher, as well as the ability to contribute on special teams. This move indicates that the Patriots had a clear plan in place to replace Uche, particularly since they accepted less compensation in the trade.
Mathis, who was a sixth-round pick for the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been elevated to the active roster multiple times this season. His signing to the 53-man roster on October 29 demonstrates the team’s commitment to bolstering their edge defense. According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, Mathis’s size and length align with the Patriots’ hybrid defensive scheme, which incorporates numerous 3-4 principles.
The next challenge for the Patriots will be to refine Mathis’s technique. He has already begun working with skills-development coach Joe Kim to enhance his pass-rushing abilities. While Uche, who recorded 11.5 sacks in 2022, had his production decline before being traded, Mathis offers a different skill set that could be advantageous.
Beyond pass-rushing duties, Mathis has made significant contributions on special teams, notably making a key block that helped ignite a comeback victory over the New York Jets in Week 8.
With versatile defensive end Keion White being the closest disruptive rusher available, the Patriots will need Mathis to exceed expectations. If he can step up, it may help mitigate the loss of Uche, but any shortcomings could leave the defense vulnerable in crucial situations as they strive to maintain performance standards from previous seasons.
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