Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 12:58pm

PATS ADD DEFENSIVE DEPTH WITH AKEEM AYERS

The New England Patriots acquired linebacker Akeem Ayers and a seventh-round draft pick from the Tennessee Titans for a sixth-round draft pick.

What does it give the New England Patriots
Lately the Patriots have been dealing with some significant injuries to their defense, including key linebacker {P Jerod Mayo} (out for the season) and defensive end {P Chandler Jones} (expected out a month due to a hip injury). When healthy, the talented and proven Ayers can provide prolific tackling, good edge pressure, and positional versatility. That said, he needs to show his knees are healthy. Linebacker {P Ja'Gared Davis} has been released in a related move.

What does it give the Tennessee Titans
Ayers was highly productive back in 2012 (posting 104 total tackles and six sacks) but since then has been plagued by knee problems. He has barely played this season for the Titans, and Tennessee has talented {P Quentin Groves} around to step in for more snaps in place of Ayers. The draft pick swap isn't much of a return, but at least the Titans are saving money by moving Ayers' salary.

Fantasy impact
Considering his declining production the past couple of seasons, it's hard to see Ayers as more than positional depth for the Patriots right now (so he won't likely have much--if any--fantasy value in leagues featuring Individual Defensive Players). Ayers wasn't playing much at all for Tennessee, so this move probably won't have much affect on the Titans' linebacker rotation either.