Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that the Patriots believe they have made a “solid offer” to free agent DT Alan Branch and the two sides are currently “deep in negotiations.”
Branch was facing a four-game suspension for violating an NFL policy after he tested positive for marijuana test but he later won his appeal against the NFL.
Branch, 31, is a former second-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2007. He spent four years in Arizona before brief stints with the Seahawks and Bills.
The Patriots elected to sign him to a two-year, $4.3 million contract in March of 2015. He’s now in position to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
In 2016, Branch has appeared in all 16 games for New England and recorded 49 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and three pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 25 interior defender out of 127 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.
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