FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots hosted free-agent linebacker Dan Skuta on a visit at Gillette Stadium, according to ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates.
Source: former Jaguars LB Dan Skuta is visiting the Patriots today. Appeared in 13 games for Jacksonville in 2016.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 26, 2017
Skuta, 31, is a versatile player who would likely fit into the team's off-the-line linebacker group of Dont'a Hightower, Elandon Roberts, Shea McClellin, Kyle Van Noy, Jonathan Freeny and Trevor Bates. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Grand Valley State in 2009, and has played for the Cincinnati Bengals (2009-12), San Francisco 49ers (2013-14) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2015-16).
The 6-foot-2, 252-pound Skuta has played in 112 career regular-season games, with 32 starts. The Jaguars viewed him as a key cog in 2015 when he signed a five-year, $20.5 million contract with $8.1 million guaranteed. The Jaguars released him two weeks ago, as Skuta was due to earn a base salary of $4.1 million this season.
Skuta's visit to the Patriots comes on the same day that free-agent guard/center Brandon Fusco was also in town. That reflects how the Patriots are exploring some experienced players to potentially add to the roster, perhaps depending on what unfolds in the NFL draft on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
