The New England Patriots started the legal tampering period by adding to their defense. Robert Spillane, who previously spent time in Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Last Vegas, is joining the team on a reported three-year, $37.5 million contract.

Let’s grade it.

Instant grade: Patriots sign Robert Spillane to 3-year, $37.5 million deal

Bernd Buchmasser: Spillane will turn 30 in December, but he is a reliable player with a proven track record of productive football. A likely starter next to Ja’Whaun Bentley, he will raise the floor of the entire linebacker group. | Grade: B+

Brian Hines: New England needed linebacker help and Spillane has been a key piece to Vegas’ defense the last two years playing all 34 games and filling up the stat sheet. It has the feeling of a Commanders-type signing last year as a veteran captain who has familiarity with Mike Vrabel — as Spillane started his career as a UDFA in Tennessee — and Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas. | Grade: B

Matt St. Jean: Spillane is a fast, undersized linebacker in the Vrabel mold with experience with Vrabel in Tennessee in 2018 and McDaniels in Las Vegas in 2023. He’s blossomed into a great run defender to help solidify the middle of a defense that was weak up the spine last season. | Grade: B-

Pat Lane: Not a splashy move, but a good player that will help the front seven, especially in run defense. | Grade: B

Spillane becomes the seventh off-ball linebacker under contract with the Patriots. He is joining last year’s top two, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai, as well as Christian Elliss, Curtis Jacobs, Monty Rice and Andrew Parker Jr.

What do you think about the signing, though? Do you like it? Do you not? Please head to the comment section to discuss.