Report: Free Agent Nick Fairley To Meet With Patriots

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots were busy last week in shaping their roster for 2016, and the next step could be an effort to beef up their defensive line.

According to ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner, free-agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley is flying to the NFL owners' meetings to meet with the Patriots.

Fairley, 28, was the 13th overall pick in the 2011 draft. The Patriots have already added a former first-rounder to the D-line by signing Chris Long, the No. 2 overall pick in 2008, last week.

The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Fairley spent his first four years with Detroit, where he had a 5.5-sack season in 2012 and a 6-sack season in 2013, before playing for the St. Louis Rams last year. Pro Football Focus ranked Fairley as the 23rd-best interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Last season, his year ended on injured reserve due to a concussion.

The Patriots have some spots open on the D-line, after trading away Chandler Jones and losing Akiem Hicks and Sealver Siliga to free agency.