FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tapping the restricted free-agent market, the New England Patriots hosted three players Wednesday who have yet to sign tenders with their original teams: defensive end Kerry Wynn (Giants), and running backs Mike Gillislee (Bills) and Damien Williams (Dolphins).
Wynn's visit, reported by ESPN NFL Nation Giants reporter Jordan Raanan, highlights what is arguably the team's top positional need. With Trey Flowers, Rob Ninkovich and Kony Ealy on the defensive end depth chart, the club is expected to look closely at the position in the draft.
But the 6-foot-5, 264-pound Wynn would offer more experience, as he enters his fourth NFL season and has played in 34 career regular-season games (seven starts). He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Richmond, and since he received the low tender as a restricted free agent, the Patriots wouldn't be required to give up compensation if they signed him to an offer sheet that the Giants didn't match. He is considered a strong player against the run, with limited pass-rush ability.
Meanwhile, if defensive end is the Patriots' top need, running back isn't far behind.
The Patriots have been exploring all options at the position -- including a workout with veteran Adrian Peterson last week -- and Wednesday gave them a chance to explore the possibility of how Gillislee and Williams might fit (Gillislee's visit was first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, while Williams' visit was reported by ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates)
The 5-11, 219-pound Gillislee gashed the Patriots for 85 yards on 12 carries on Oct. 30, 2016. In the days leading up to that game, Patriots coach Bill Belichick called him a "strong downhill runner -- one-cut guy that's hard to tackle." He entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft choice in 2014 out of the University of Florida.
As a complement to LeSean McCoy in 2016, Gillislee totaled 577 yards and eight touchdowns on 101 carries. If the Patriots signed Gillislee to an offer sheet that the Bills didn't match, they would surrender a fifth-round draft choice.
Meanwhile, the 5-11, 228-pound Williams entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma in 2014. He was a backup in Miami last season, totaling 35 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 23 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Patriots fans might remember him as the player from whom safety Devin McCourtyy stripped the football in the fourth quarter of the 2016 season finale to help seal a victory.
If the Patriots signed Williams to an offer sheet and the Dolphins didn't match, they wouldn't be required to give up any compensation.