Patriots Reunite With Veteran Offensive Tackle To Bolster Depth
The New England Patriots are bringing in some more help on the offensive line.
The team signed veteran tackle Yasir Durant to a one-year deal, ML Football reports. MassLive’s Mark Daniels confirmed the news.
Durant spent the 2024 season in the UFL with the DC Defenders, coming off a championship and earning a spot on the All-UFL team. Plus, just a day before signing with the Patriots, he was recognized by Bleacher Report as one of five UFL players who deserve another chance in the NFL.
“He’s a 6-foot-6, 330-pound blocker with good length and passable movement skills. He started two seasons at left tackle for the Missouri Tigers before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, then the New England Patriots traded for his services. Between the two teams, he provides spot starts at right guard and right tackle,” Brent Sobleski wrote.
This marks his second stint with the Patriots, having been traded to New England from the Kansas City Chiefs in September 2021. He played in seven games for the Patriots, including one start, but was ultimately waived a year later as part of the final roster cuts before the 2022 season. He then signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, followed by a stint with the Denver Broncos in 2023. Durant then made the move to the UFL.
Durant takes the spot that was left open after veteran guard Wes Schweitzer retired before mandatory minicamp
He joins offensive tackles Demontrey Jacobs, Caedan Wallace, Vederian Lowe, and Morgan Moses, along with rookies Marcus Bryant and Will Campbell. Durant will compete for a backup spot, with Moses and Campbell almost certainly having the starting spots locked down.
Plus, Durant adds depth at left tackle, having made starts on both sides of the offensive line. He can also fill in as a guard if necessary.