The Patriots picked up a veteran linebacker to fill out their 90-man roster on Tuesday.
Dekoda Watson will potentially give the Patriots some added depth on the second level of their defense, as well as provide the team with some special teams experience.
Watson, 27, has registered 120 career tackles in five seasons, recording three sacks, one interception, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in that time. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Buccaneers (2010-13), moved on to Jacksonville at the start of last season, was released, and eventually ended up in Dallas where he played in one game.
A seventh-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in out of Florida State, the 6-foot-2, 240-pounder's best season came in 2013 when he notched 42 tackles, two sacks, one interception and a forced fumble.
The Patriots appeared to be in the market for linebackers during the first month of the league's free-agency period but did not sign any. They then picked up a few outside-linebacker/defensive-end types in the draft -- third-rounder Geneo Grissom, fourth-rounder Trey Flowers, seventh rounder Xzavier Dickson -- and reportedly hosted former Patriots Dane Fletcher and Brandon Spikes on visits to New England.
Watson's addition doesn't prevent the team from adding another 'backer, but for now, with the roster maxed out at 90 players, he's the choice.