The News
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1549459155521622017
Jeremiah Pharms Jr., a former United States Football League defensive lineman, signed with the New England Patriots July 19th.
The USFL is meant for players, thought of as not good enough for the NFL, to try and create good tape. This gives them a better opportunity of landing a NFL tryout.
Whether it’s football players from a small school or an overlooked undrafted player trying to achieve their dream in the NFL, opportunities to prove themselves is all they want.
What it means for the Patriots
Regardless of where a player’s been or come from, they can always add to competition. With training camp right around the corner all teams are signing players to compete with those returning. One of the Patriots’ biggest weaknesses has been run stopping.
They drafted Christian Barmore in the second round at pick 38 to help address this need. And while he was good his rookie year, they need more. The signing of Pharms Jr. is an indicator of this, too many times they didn’t have enough “big” people on their defensive line.
Based on the unofficial depth chart on the New England Patriots website, Pharms Jr. is competing against 11 other defensive linemen, we’ll see if he can make the roster, but it’s going to be tough.
Background
Pharms Jr. is 25 and is listed at 6’3″ and weighs about 275 pounds. He was a defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Maulers and had 32 total tackles and two sacks this past spring.
His father Jeremiah Pharms Sr. was drafted by the Browns in 2001, but never appeared in a game for them. Pharms Jr. attended Sacramento State College before transferring to Friends University. As a senior he had 14.5 sacks.
Make sure to check out our New England Patriots coverage, here’s an article about Tom Brady’s upcoming movie 80 for Brady.
