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          NFL Nation

          Why the Patriots are hosting free-agent OL Brandon Fusco

          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterApr 26, 2017, 05:05 PM
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots are hosting free-agent guard/center Brandon Fusco on a visit, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan, as they explore adding experienced depth on the interior of the offensive line.

          The 6-foot-4, 306-pound Fusco entered the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011 as a sixth-round draft choice out of Slippery Rock. He has played in 67 career regular-season games, with 64 starts.

          How might Fusco fit in New England?

          The starting guard spots are locked down with Joe Thuney (signed through 2019) and Shaq Mason (signed through 2018), while starting center David Andrews (restricted free agent after the 2017 season) also returns. Ted Karras, a 2016 sixth-round pick out of Illinois, is the top interior backup.

          The team also has three other interior linemen from the 2016 practice squad -- Chris Barker, Jamil Douglas and Chase Farris -- who will vie for roster spots.

          Fusco, who turns 29 in July, would be the Patriots' most experienced interior offensive lineman if they ultimately sign him to a contract.

          This might also be a situation where the Patriots are exploring their options if they don't select a center/guard with one of their six draft picks.