DE Michael Johnson could be target for Patriots, Bengals don't expect to re-sign

The Patriots are certainly in need of some help along the defensive line, and one big free-agent that they could target isn't expect to take a home town Cincinnatti discount.

NESN:

Michael Johnson will likely hit the open market on March 11 when free agency begins.

The fifth-year defensive end is not expected to be re-signed by the Cincinnati Bengals, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. Joe Reedy of The Enquirer sets Johnson’s chance to re-sign at just 20 percent.

As Doug Kyed points out in the link above, the Patriots factor in here not only because of their need for depth along the D line, but also because they once has interest in Johnson.

Coming off of an 11.5 sack year in 2012, the Pats had their eye on Johnson but he was franchise by Cincy. He only recorded 3.5 sacks last year and that decline may be enough to knock his salary down enough for the Pats to afford him.