The New England Patriots are adding to their offensive tackle depth. Free agent Kellen Diesch, who was in town for a workout on Thursday, is expected to sign a contract with the club.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss was first to report the move.

Diesch, 26, split his six-year college career between Texas A&M and Arizona State. A 15-game starter for the Sun Devils, he went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft and joined the Miami Dolphins as a rookie free agent. However, he lasted only four months before his release.

The 6-foot-7, 300-pound lineman then took his talents to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. He later spent time on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ developmental roster as well, before eventually getting claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns earlier this offseason. A failed physical put him back on the waiver wire shortly thereafter.

Now, Diesch will get another opportunity. Joining a Patriots team in the early stages of a rebuild, he projects as a backup option at offensive tackle behind the projected top four Caedan Wallace, Chukwuma Okorafor, Calvin Anderson and Vederian Lowe.

With Tyrone Wheatley Jr. and Zuri Henry also under contract, New England’s offensive tackle depth chart stands at seven deep now. Wheatley Jr., however, missed Thursday’s practice for undisclosed reasons. He was last spotted in the athletic training area on Tuesday.

Signing Diesch puts the Patriots’ roster at 91 players, excluding International Pathway Player Jotham Russell. A follow-up move will therefore be necessary to get back under the offseason limit.