​Throughout the offseason, the New England Patriots have been looking to find a consistent nose tackle replacement for Khyiris Tonga but did not add an outside free agent or select one in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cory Durden is currently the starter and is a reliable rotational piece with starting abilities, but is undersized, listed at 305 pounds on the ESPN and Patriots websites. The two backups, Joshua Farmer and Leonard Taylor III, did not play much in Week 1, with Farmer logging nine snaps and Taylor seven.The New England Patriots land an underrated 320-pound defensive tackleBuffalo Bills defensive tackle Daquan Jones sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler during first half action of the Bills home game against the New Orleans Saints in Orchard Park on Sept. 28, 2025.According to Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are expected to sign DaQuan Jones to a one-year, $3.5 million contract worth up to $6 million. The 34-year-old Jones spent 2014 to 2020 with the Tennessee Titans, including the last three seasons under head coach Mike Vrabel, before spending 2021 with the Carolina Panthers and the last four years with the Buffalo Bills. The 320-pound run-stopper is expected to handle nose tackle duties and replace Khyiris Tonga in the starting lineup. He has primarily played 0/1 technique throughout his NFL career.The #Patriots are expected to sign veteran DT DaQuan Jones to a 1-year deal worth up to $6M, sources say. He gets $3.5M base.Some help up front before Week 2 from the former #Bills starter. pic.twitter.com/Ao1OkGrT0n— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2026Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaignBills defensive lineman DaQuan Jones hitting a blocking dummy during training camp.DaQuan Jones had a solid 12th NFL season but missed five games due to a lingering calf injury. Jones totaled 22 tackles, three tackles for loss, 13 stops, 21 pressures, eight quarterback hits, three sacks, one interception, two batted passes, and one forced fumble in the regular season. He also posted three tackles, one stop, and four pressures in the playoffs.More New England news New England Patriots: End Contract Stalemate With Elite Pro Bowler Patriots HC Points Finger at Drake Maye After Costly Interception The post New England Patriots: Land Underrated 320-Pound Defensive Tackle appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.