Patriots sign former Raiders safety Obi Melifonwu; is Bruce Irvin next?

Michael Ainsworth/AP

This is not the safety you're looking for...or maybe it is.

Today, the Patriots signed Obi (not Wan) Melifonwu, a 2017 second-round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders. And if my terrible attempt at making a Star Wars joke didn't tell you this already, he's a safety.

Injuries have slowed his career down pretty significantly, but the Grafton, Ma. native adds some depth and size to New England's secondary. Melifonwu, 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, played in five games with the Raiders last year including one start.

There were rumors he would sign with the Patriots as recently as a week ago. A former teammate of Melifonwu's, Bruce Irvin, was just cut by Oakland and rumors are the Patriots could be a landing spot.

Would it shock you if every Raider free agent came over here? I mean, going from Oakland to New England is like going from a rodent-infested dive bar to the Capital Grille.

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