The New England Patriots have never been afraid to cut ties with players they have in the past invested a lot in. It’s what makes the team a model franchise around the NFL.
This philosophy came out in droves Wednesday after reports suggested the team has released former first-round pick Dominique Easley.
#Patriots have released 1st round DL Dominique Easley, source confirmed (as @tomecurran said). Injuries limited him to 22 games in 2 years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2016
The 29th overall pick back in 2014, this Florida prospect has played in 11 games in each of his first two seasons — finding himself placed on injured reserve each year.
In 2014, it came in the form of a knee injury. Then, last year, the defensive tackle suffered a season-ending thigh injury in December.
It’s a surprising move for a number of reasons.
First off, Easley has shown flashes of brilliance in the time he’s been on the field. He’s an interior pass-rush threat in a NFL that seems to value that aspect of the game more than at any other point in its history. He’s also just 24 years old with a ton of upside.
One might think the Patriots could have received a mid-to-late round pick for the former Florida standout. That’s obviously not the case here.
Easley did tear both of his ACL’s in college, which led to medical red flags during the 2014 NFL draft process. It also led to him falling to the Patriots at the end of the first round.
There promises to be a ton of interest in his services now that the Patriots have released the young defensive lineman.
In his 22 games with the Patriots, Easley recorded 24 tackles, three sacks and an interception.