Report: Broncos Poach DE Ronnie Perkins from Patriots Practice Squad

Perkins is a 2021 third-round pick out of Oklahoma.

The Denver Broncos had a vacancy on its 53-man roster after placing tight end Greg Dulcich on short-term injured reserve. It was filled Monday.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Broncos signed defensive end Ronnie Perkins off the New England Patriots' practice squad.

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Perkins is a 2021 third-round pick out of Oklahoma who spent his first two seasons in New England but has yet to appear in an NFL game. He was released at final cuts in August and re-signed to the Patriots' taxi squad.

The 6-foot-3, 253-pound defender was a standout for the Sooners, twice earning second-team All-Big 12 honors while coached by now-Broncos pass-rush specialist Jamar Cain. He finished his collegiate career with 61 solo tackles, 32 tackles-for-loss, 16.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

"Productive but undersized defensive end who might need to prove he can play standing for a 3-4 scheme," his NFL.com scouting profile reads. "Perkins is tight-hipped and a very average athlete with production coming thanks to his hard-charging motor as well as Oklahoma's slant-heavy defensive front. He's tough but the lack of bend has a distinct impact on his anchor and contact balance at the point of attack. Despite some physical deficiencies, he plays with forward focus and the attitude to go find the football. There are differences of opinion in the NFL scouting community regarding his NFL potential, but the lack of traits and functional quickness are challenges that could limit him."

Listed as an EDGE, Perkins is an insurance policy with Baron Browning (knee) on IR and Frank Clark (hip) likely to miss Week 3. The 23-year-old will nestle in as a backup alongside Nik Bonitto and Thomas Incoom.

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