The New England Patriots deepened the safety depth chart on Friday.
The organization agreed to terms with veteran free agent Marcus Epps on a one-year deal worth a max value of $4.4 million, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Epps, 29, is coming off a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season in September. The University of Wyoming product has checked into 82 games, including 45 starts, during his NFL run. His career includes 294 tackles and 18 passes defensed to go with three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft, Epps was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles midway through his rookie campaign and remained through Super Bowl LVII. The former No. 191 overall pick spent the past two years with the Las Vegas Raiders during the stays of head coaches Josh McDaniels and Antonio Pierce.
Epps has started his past 37 appearances. And since entering the league, he has totaled 3,282 snaps in the secondary as well as 858 snaps on special teams.
Prior to landing on injured reserve last fall, the 6-foot, 191-pound defensive back saw 115 downs at free safety, 22 downs at slot corner and 35 downs in the box, per Pro Football Focus.
The Patriots re-signed safety Jaylinn Hawkins as the new league year opened. The current depth chart also includes Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Dell Pettus, Mark Perry and Brenden Schooler, a reigning first-team All-Pro in the kicking game.