Patriots “The Favorites” Sign Free Agent DE Will Smith

Update:

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Patriots are “the favorites” to sign free agent DE Will Smith at some point.

• Florio adds that the Patriots level of interest could eventually change, but they are currently “viewed as the leaders” for Smith.

Smith appears to be willing to sign a one-year deal that would allow him to reestablish his value before he’s a free agent again next season.

Smith, 32, sat out the 2013 season after having been placed on the injured reserve with a torn ACL that he suffered during the team’s third preseason game.

We have him listed as the No. 16 player in our Best Available Free Agents list.

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Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston writes that although there was no contract agreement between veteran DE Will Smith and the Patriots following a recent visit, there is still a chance that something could come together at a later point in time.

• ESPN’s John Clayton first reported that Smith was visiting with the Patriots last Tuesday.

According to Reiss, the two sides have maintained “open-ended communication” and Smith is expected to be keeping his options open at this point in time.

Talks could pick up after the draft depending, of course, on what the Patriots elect to do regarding the defensive end position.

The Saints parted ways with Smith back in February in attempt to free up some much needed cap space to address players like TE Jimmy Graham.

Following his release, teams like the Seahawks and Patriots both came up as potential options for the veteran defensive end.