Ealy, 25, is a veteran of three NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers after originally entering the NFL as a second-round draft pick (60th overall) by Carolina out of Missouri in the 2014 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder, was acquired by the Patriots in a trade with the Panthers on March 11, 2017. Ealy has played in 47 regular season games with 15 starts and has 76 total tackles, 14 sacks, one interception, five passes defensed, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In addition, he has played in five postseason games with one start and has 12 tackles, including three sacks and an interception in Super Bowl 50 against Denver. Last season, Ealy played in 16 games with six starts and finished with 32 total tackles, five sacks, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles.