fb-pixelDefensive lineman Terrance Knighton picks Patriots - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

Defensive lineman Terrance Knighton picks Patriots

Terrance Knighton (left) played last season for the Washington Redskins.AP

The Patriots are adding more beef to their defensive front in the form of Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 350-pound defensive tackle chose New England, first tweeting (via his clever handle, @MisterRoast98) “decision made” followed by a subsequent post of himself in full Patriots regalia.

A league source confirmed the move Thursday.

Knighton had been mulling offers from the Redskins, whom he played for last season, and the Patriots.

With his future employer settled, Knighton has turned his attention to another important matter, tweeting: “Turning focus to my brother having a baby girl any minute now…Thank you to everyone for making this fun.’’

Advertisement



The seven-year veteran has played 108 career games with 96 starts for the Jaguars, Broncos, and Redskins. Born and raised in Connecticut, Knighton went to Temple before being drafted by Jacksonville in the third round of the 2009 draft.

Known mainly as a run stuffer, Knighton is no stranger to pressuring the pocket, collecting 14 sacks in his career.

An unabashed Celtics fan, Knighton will be part of a middle-of-the-line rotation with Malcom Brown, Dominique Easley, Alan Branch, and Frank Kearse, who also played with the Redskins last season.

Knight helps fill the void left by the departures of Akiem Hicks, who signed a free agent deal with the Bears, and Sealver Siliga, who was not tendered and has since signed with the Seahawks.


Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com