Free agent edge rusher Oshane Ximines did not get many phone calls when free agency began. That was until the New England Patriots came calling late in April with an opportunity for a workout which led to contract agreement.
Fast forward months later, the 27-year old pass rusher looks primed to play a big role on New England's defense.
"Since day one him walking in I remember going out there, working him out in the offseason," defensive coordinator Demarcus Covington said. "Signed him and he's did nothing -- that's a guy we talk about who took advantage of every rep out there on the field whether it's practice or during the preseason."
The 2023 season was a challenge for Ximines, who appeared in just three games for the New York Giants while playing a career-low 53 defensive snaps.
That led to him reshaping his body this offseason as he looked to latch on elsewhere.
"This is a guy that is a really good football player," outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who coaches Ximines in New York, said. "The one thing he did is he changed his body and he really just worked on like his movement skills and his explosion coming out of his stance. And he really worked at it.
"However things ended for him in New York, he dedicated himself in the offseason that he was going to get into a camp and he was going to make somebody's team and it's exactly what he did. It's a credit to the work that he put in. He's a special guy."
Ximines' path to making the roster started in the spring, as he played on the Patriots' top projected defense as pass rushers Matthew Judon and Joshuah Uche sat out of OTAs. With Judon now in Atlanta, the role along the edge remains for Ximines on New England's front and his play at that spot has caught the attention of both his teammates and coaches.
"Ox," cornerback Jonathan Jones replied when asked who could surprise people this season. "I think it's gonna be a big year for him and I'm excited to see him get out there and work."
"He took advantage of every opportunity and guys like that who's playing like a starter never been a starter in the league, probably been more of a backup to a rotational player, but when the snaps that he put out there, like for us as a coaching staff and his teammates and for Jon Jones to see that, you know like 'All right, yeah, put that guy out there,'" Covington said.
After a strong start to training camp, Ximines carried his production into the preseason. Despite not playing in the preseason finale due to a foot injury, Ximines was second on the team with five pressures while also adding a pair of sacks.
"Like it doesn't matter if he's out there first, second team it doesn't matter. When he's on the field good things are going to happen. He's going to play strong, he going to do with his job all right," Covington said.
"He prepares well. So I'm excited to see what he does for us and what he has to bring for the table. Hopefully, for me, I think he's going to do exactly what he's been doing since the spring."