New England Patriots rookie Armond Armstead of Southern California talks with the media during rookie minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots signed former CFL and USC star Armond Armstead last January, and he was expected to give them a much-needed pass rushing boost on the interior of the defensive line. Instead, he never played a down last season after being placed on the NFI with an infection he suffered in training camp, and the 23-year-old DT was basically given a redshirt as an NFL rookie due to the infection.
He looks poised for the big role he would have gotten last season, and the Patriots really need him to be a solid piece of the puzzle on the team’s defense. The good news is that the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe reports Armstead is expected to be ready for the Patriots OTAs when they open up on the 21st of April.
With Vince Wilfork’s future in doubt due to an inability to reach an agreement on a paycut, the Patriots have a huge need at the defensive tackle position and would probably love to pull Louis Nix with the 29th pick. Even though they are looking for a big run-stuffer to potentially replace Wilfork, who might not return on a new deal, they still need plenty of pass rushing help on the inside; help that Armstead was set to give to the Pats in 2013.