The New England Patriots barely moved the needle late Tuesday afternoon when they traded defensive back Justin Green to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for defensive end Ben Bass.
Just minutes later, the Pats made a bigger splash by acquiring the No. 51 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports, via a source informed of the move, the Patriots will acquire defensive end Jerel Worthy from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick.
Per agent Chafie Fields, the transaction is pending a physical. Worthy has yet to practice this summer due to a back injury, but said Tuesday that he's "getting anxious" to "get back out there."
Worthy missed all but 14 snaps last season because he was slow to recover from a late 2012 ACL tear. He entered training camp on the roster bubble due to an influx of talent on the defensive side of the ball in Green Bay.
A poor fit for Dom Capers' two-gap scheme, Worthy managed just 2.5 sacks in a part-time role as a rookie.
NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock had a first-round grade on Worthy coming out of Michigan State. Billed as a boom-or-bust prospect, he was viewed as an interior pass rusher with first-step quickness offset by an inconsistent motor.
If Worthy's body cooperates, he has a chance for a rotational role behind Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly and first-round draft pick Dominique Easley. For the price the Patriots are paying, this is a worthwhile project for Bill Belichick.
UPDATE: The trade was finalized Wednesday, per the NFL transaction wire.
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