The Patriots brought in rookie edge rusher Dasan McCullough for a visit Tuesday, continuing Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf's search for depth on the edge. McCullough, an undrafted free agent who spent time with Denver this offseason, represents the kind of under-the-radar swing the Patriots are taking at a position group that needs bodies.
Here's what we know: McCullough bounced through three college programs—Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Indiana—before going undrafted. That résumé screams developmental project, not Day One contributor. But the fact he caught Denver's attention in the offseason means somebody saw enough. A visit to Foxborough doesn't guarantee anything, but it signals the Patriots aren't sitting idle on the edge rusher front with training camp winding down.
The timing matters here. McCullough's previous stint with the Broncos gives him actual NFL exposure, even if it didn't result in a contract. That's valuable reps in a professional system. For a Patriots squad still figuring out its edge rotation, an athletic upside play with some preseason seasoning could carve out a practice squad role at minimum. Worst case, he goes back to where he was. Best case, he becomes that waiver wire grab we all brag about finding in Week 5.
Vrabel's defensive background means he understands edge value better than most. He'll want to see if McCullough has the bend, motor, and football intelligence to stick. One visit doesn't make a signing, but it tells you the scouting department is digging deep into the free agent market. That's the kind of work that separates rosters in September.