“JUST IN: New England Patriots Announce 6 Free Agent Workouts, Sign LB Monty Rice”
The New England Patriots hosted several free agents for workouts this week, with a clear focus on the running back position. Out of the six players brought in, three were running backs: Zach Evans, Nathaniel Peat, and Isaiah Spiller. They were joined by defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne, edge rusher Justin Hollins, and linebacker Monty Rice.
After the workout, Monty Rice was signed to the practice squad, while the others remain available.
Zach Evans, 23, entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick for the Los Angeles Rams last year. A special teams player and backup running back, he appeared in 10 games last season with 19 yards on nine touches. Before turning pro, he gained 2,324 scrimmage yards in three seasons at TCU and Ole Miss.
Nathaniel Peat, 24, started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. After limited action in the preseason with seven touches for 31 yards, he was released in late August. Known as a one-dimensional running back, Peat brings considerable special teams experience from his time at Stanford and Missouri.
Isaiah Spiller, 23, was drafted in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 but saw limited success before being released earlier this season. In 15 games, the Texas A&M alum logged 64 touches for 184 scrimmage yards. He was highly productive in college, gaining 3,578 yards and scoring 26 touchdowns over three years.
Pheldarius Payne, 24, had a six-year college career at Lackawanna, Nebraska, and Virginia Tech before joining the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Houston Texans. He played two preseason games, recording one quarterback hurry over 24 snaps, but was released ahead of the roster cut deadline.
Justin Hollins, 28, is in his sixth NFL season, having started as a fifth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2019. He has since played for Los Angeles, Green Bay, New York, and Washington, appearing in 73 games with 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one recovery.
Currently, the Patriots have no open spots on their active roster or practice squad and are set to face the Chicago Bears on the road in Week 10.