New England Patriots Sign Pass Rusher Jabaal Sheard; Add Two WRs

The New England Patriots upgraded their defensive front by signing pass rusher Jabaal Sheard to a two-year deal worth $11 million with a $5.5 million guarantee.

Sheard, who has only played for the Cleveland Browns in his four-year career, has amassed a total of 23 sacks and 190 combined tackles. In Sheard's first two years in the league, he totaled 15.5 sacks. His role, however, diminished last season when he only started in five games, saw 690 snaps and recorded two sacks.

Although Sheard's sacks have declined for the Browns, the 6-foot-3 and 264 pound player is still a very valuable asset for any team looking to build their defense.

"He's a tough guy that has experience as a 3-4 outside linebacker and especially a 4-3 defensive end, and the Patriots will use both," ESPN personnel scout Matt Williamson said. "He's a perfect rotational guy with Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich to keep those guys fresh on the edge. And they didn't spend a ton on him."

Sean Tomlinson with Bleacher report added, "It's critical to [Bill] Belichick's process of maximizing the market, along with the Patriots' potential future gains. In Sheard, he saw a player who was miscast in his previous role and a young defender still far from his talent ceiling...he also saw an edge-rusher who could quickly blossom while ringing up the register for only $5.5 million in guaranteed money. Even better, Sheard will be paid a pint-sized base salary of $1 million in 2015."

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport also reported that the Patriots have had their eye on the linebacker/defensive end since the 2011 NFL draft. The Patriots are expected to use the versatile 25-year-old in a lot of their "sub packages"

The Patriots have also signed Oakland Raiders cornerback, Chimdi Chewka to a one-year deal. Chekwa has only started four times in 32 career games since he was drafted in 2011.

On the offensive front, the Patriots announced that they have signed two wide receivers, Kevin Dorsey and Brandon Gibson. Dorsey, 25, was selected by the Green Bay Packers in 2013. He missed his rookie season due to an injury. In 2014, he played in three games and recorded one reception for four yards before he was placed on the injured reserve list. He was cut by the Packers in February.

Gibson was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 but was traded in his rookie season to the St. Louis Rams. In his six-year career, Gibson played in 76 games, starting 46 of those and recorded 233 receptions for 2,711 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Rams and the Miami Dolphins. He was cut by the Dolphins in February.