Jabaal Sheard to Patriots: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

After an excellent rookie season with the Cleveland Browns, outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard has seen his production steadily decline every season in his four-year career. The New England Patriots are clearly hoping they can help Sheard regain his mojo from his first two seasons, however, signing him in free agency.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network first reported the news, which the team confirmed on Thursday: 

David Richard/Associated Press

Sheard had his worst season as a professional in 2014, finishing the season with 44 tackles and a career-low two sacks. His best season, by far, was his 2011 rookie campaign, when he finished with 55 tackles, 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He duplicated the 55 tackles in his sophomore campaign, adding seven sacks.   

But in 2013, the decline commenced, as he finished with a career-low 36 tackles and just 5.5 sacks. He did miss three games that season, though he appeared in all 16 games for the Browns last year and made a minimal impact.

Despite his recent decline, one of ESPN's Adam Schefter's sources believes Sheard "will be top 5 signing of free agency, guarantee it."

To his credit, however, Sheard was a hard worker for the team and improved steadily against the run during his time in Cleveland. That, along with the potential he's shown as an edge-rusher earlier in his career, made him a coveted player on the free-agent market.

With Vince Wilfork now a free agent, the Patriots didn't hesitate to swoop in and snag Sheard when they had the chance to help add depth to the defensive line.

Schefter notes how missing out on Darrelle Revis likely led to this deal:

If they can get Sheard's sack totals back to what he produced in his first two seasons, he could end up being one of the better signings of free agency.