It is one busy off-season for the New England Patriots and after adding two tight ends recently, they are now acquiring a defensive piece in nose tackle Terrance Knighton. 

According to NFL.com, Knighton is going to sign a one-year contract to be in New England and it will earn him $4.5 million.

Last Friday, Knighton announced via Twitter that he is joining the Patriots, posting an edited photo of him wearing a Pats helmet and jersey. 

Knighton was coming off a season with the Washington Redskins. Before that, he also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars (selected him in the third-round, 72nd overall, in the 2009 draft) and the Denver Broncos. 

In a report, ESPN mentioned that the Patriots were in need of a defensive tackle after Akiem Hicks and Sealver Siliga left this free agency period and joined the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks respectively. 

ESPN added that before finding Knighton, the Pats had a meeting with defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who is now with the New Orleans Saints. 

In Knighton's career in the National Football League (NFL), playing for the Jaguars, Broncos, and the Redskins, he has been a regular starter. Last season with Washington, he played and started in 15 games, having 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

It is uncertain if the 29-year-old will have the same role as a starter with the Patriots since the team lost their backups. But he can earn the starting job once the team begins organized team activities (OTAs) and training camp for the 2016 season. 

As the free agency period continues and the 2016 NFL Draft nearing, the Patriots, like every team in the league, are searching for opportunities to better their roster by signing quality players. 

New England failed to reach the Super Bowl last season and is aiming for a better campaign once the new season unfolds this September.