Patriots Host Five Free Agent Visits: Potential McCourty Replacement?

FOXBORO — Despite their perceived slow entry, the New England Patriots are wading their way into the deep end of the 2023 free agency pool.

Following their big splash signing of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Wednesday, the Pats have also added running back James Robinson and offensive linemen Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff to the fold for the upcoming season.

Still, New England realizes that there is much work to be done before players report for their first organized team activities in May. As such, the team hosted five potential free agent targets for visits at Gillette Stadium on Thursday: safety Taylor Rapp, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, wide receiver Olabisi ‘Bisi’ Johnson, linebacker Chris Board and former Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers for visits.

Trey Flowers

During his four years in New England, including the postseason, Flowers compiled 26.5 sacks, 203 tackles, five forced-fumbles and two recoveries; helping the Patriots to two Super Bowl victories (LI, LIII) in the process. Flowers signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Detroit Lions in March 2019, where he continued to play at a high level before being released in March 2022 due to injury concerns and coast-cutting measures. Flowers signed with the Miami Dolphins in August, but saw his season come to a premature end by being placed on injured reserve in October. 

When healthy, Flowers is still capable of being one of the more formidable pass rushers in the league, demonstrating great instincts and ability to locate the ball. He is also a stout run defender, as well as a positive and influential presence in the locker room.

Taylor Rapp

Rapp was Los Angeles Rams’ second-round draft choice (61 overall) in 2019. Since then, the 26-year old has filled various roles within L.A.’s secondary. Despite being used primarily as a box safety in the early stages of his Rams’ tenure, Rapp has aligned as a free safety for over 1000 snaps since 2020. Rapp finished 2022 having compiled 92 total tackles, six passes-defensed, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. 

His experience at free safety could be of strong interest to the Patriots, who are in need of help at the position following the retirement of longtime team captain Devin McCourty. 

Andrew Van Ginkel

Van Ginkel joined the Miami Dolphins in 2019 as their fifth-round (151 overall) draft choice. The former Wisconsin Badger has been an effective edge rusher for the Dolphins during his four years with Miami. He was particularly productive when playing under former Pats assistant coach Brian Flores, where he earned 9.5 sacks and 119 tackles from 2020 through 2021.

While reports described Van Ginkel’s visit with the Patriots as “good,” he is still expected to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday.  

Bisi Johnson

Johnson was a seventh-round pick (247 overall) for the Minnesota Vikings out of Colorado State in 2019. The 6-3, 203-pound wideout compiled 31 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season. Johnson took a significant statistical dip in his second season with the Vikings, logging only 14 catches for 189 yards. Unfortunately, injuries have taken their toll on the promising young receiver, having missed the last two seasons due to two separate ACL tears.

Chris Board

Perhaps best known by Patriots fans as the player to which Bill Belichick referred as “the best special teams player we’ll play against” in October 2022, Board also began his pro career as an undrafted free agent in 2018 by signing with the Baltimore Ravens. Since that time, he has been a special teams standout, logging 1721 snaps within various coverage units. He is also a capable reserve linebacker, earning 115 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in four years with the Ravens and one with the Detroit Lions.  

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