FOXBORO — Patriots outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins has a history with his newest pass rusher.

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Yannick Ngakoue, whom the team claimed off waivers last week, played in Baltimore in 2020, when Wilkins worked on the Ravens’ coaching staff. That year, Ngakoue arrived in Baltimore via a midseason trade with the Vikings and totaled eight sacks between the two teams. Ngakoue, who now has 70.5 career sacks, is the Patriots’ most proven pass rusher, and Wilkins explained Thursday what makes him so effective coming off the edge.

“He’s got tremendous get-off ability. So, his first two steps, the quickness and the burst to anticipate the snap and get off the ball, (are) really good,” Wilkins told reporters. “And when he gets there — what we call the fight area — when the tackle really throws their hands or dictates how they’re going to (protect), that fight area, it’s how can I get on top of this guy?

“That’s something where, really throughout his whole career, he’s got some signature moves that he goes to. (Ngakoue) probably has a better cross-chop than anybody in the league. But then with that, he keeps adding tools.”

Wilkins listed Ngakoue’s power rush and counter rush as his chief counter moves. This season, Ngakoue recorded just 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits over five game appearances with the Ravens, who re-signed him this offseason. The 29-year-old is now on his seventh team in nine years. Ngakoue was a starter in each of the past three seasons with the Bears, Colts and Raiders.

The Patriots believe he can be a three-down defender for them at outside linebacker, though it’s clear they’re most excited about his potential as a pass rusher.

“This guy’s the total package as a rusher,” Wilkins said, “and you’ve seen it his whole career.”