Although the Patriots chose not to make any moves at the NFL Trade Deadline, New England brought in three players for tryouts on Tuesday. The group included linebackers Andrew Farmer and D.J. Johnson and defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko. None of the players ended up signing with the team after their workouts.
Starting with Fehoko, the lone defensive lineman in the group, he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft but never saw meaningful playing time. The former San Jose State standout later spent time with the Washington Commanders, though that stint was short-lived. Fehoko, a second cousin of Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea, reached an injury settlement with Washington in mid-August. Now fully healthy, the 25-year-old could provide depth along the defensive front for any team looking for rotational help.
The Patriots also hosted linebacker Andrew Farmer for a workout. The 25-year-old entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and contributed on both defense and special teams, recording three tackles during his rookie campaign. Following final roster cuts, he was waived and later joined the Denver Broncos practice squad in 2024 but was never elevated to the active roster. A Jacksonville native and Lane College alum, Farmer totaled 140 tackles and 19.5 sacks during his collegiate career and is expected to draw interest from other teams around the league.
Johnson, 27, was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and appeared in 31 games with the team. The former Oregon standout saw his defensive role diminish this season and was released in late September. Across nearly 900 total snaps between defense and special teams, Johnson tallied 62 tackles, a fumble recovery, and half a sack during his time in Carolina.
As for New England, the Patriots currently have no open roster or practice squad spots. They will return to action Sunday, Nov. 9, when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
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My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 19-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Ben.BelfordPeltzman@gmail.com with any inquires.
