Kitchen, 27, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on Dec. 16, 2015, was inactive in the win against Tennessee on Dec. 20, was released on Dec. 22, and re-signed on Dec. 30. The 6-foot-1, 300-pounder, saw action in the season finale and was inactive for both postseason games with the Patriots. He played three seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2012-14) and spent two games with the Detroit Lions in 2015 after being released by the Browns prior to the start of the regular season. Kitchen originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 out of Kent State. He was released by the Ravens at the end of training camp and was claimed off waivers by Cleveland. Kitchen has played in 42 NFL games with three starts and totaled 90 tackles.