Yesterday we looked at what the Patriots have facing them in the offseason with the offense. Today we take a look at the defense.
Defense:
- Line- There is more ambiguity with the defensive line this offseason than any season prior. Trey Flowers, Malcolm Brown, and Danny Shelton are all free agents. Adrian Clayborne is due north of 5 million dollars. Derek Rivers was a healthy scratch for most of the year and, when he did play, was not all that noticeable. Same with Keionta Davis. Deatrich Wise had a nice season, can he keep progressing without veteran defensive line coach Brendan Daly?
- The number 1 priority of this offseason is resigning Trey Flowers. He is your best all-around defensive end since Richard Seymour and does everything asked of him. Losing him changes the entire complexity of the defense. He will get more than 13 million a year, be the team that pays him. If clayborne wants to come back on a much, much smaller number he will be welcome back. More likely than not, though, a team will look at his Super Bowl performance and cut him a nice check.
- The decision to not pick up either Brown’s or Shelton’s fifth year options showed how skeptical the team was about how good they really were. Brown looked promising after his second year; poised to make that year three leap and turn into the new Wilfork. But 2017 turned in a very meh season, followed by an even lackluster 2018. Shelton was traded here in the offseason and, after not picking up Brown, why would they pick up an option year on a guy they don’t know? I think they let Brown walk, resign Shelton on a cheap two year deal with a team opt out option after the first year, and draft a DT early.
- The rest of the young guys up front, Wise, Rivers, and Davis have big years coming up. Wise needs to develop further and one of Rivers or Davis, along with a probable draft choice, will need to step up both as a rotational piece if Flowers comes back, or as a starter if he doesn’t.
- Linebackers- While there are less question marks with the linebackers, there are still decisions to be made. Hightower is due 7 million this year. Bentley looked promising but is coming back from a torn bicep. In limited playing time he had his ups and downs, can he progress further and maybe be Higtowers replacement in the near future? Elandon Roberts is the most frustrating player on the team. Subpar in coverage, constantly whiffing on backfield tackles, but delivering gigantic, tone setting hits are the three staples of his game. John Simon was a nice piece and would be welcome back at the right number. And Van Noy is a perfect linebacker for this defense. What a fleecing that was. So, what do they do?
- Higthtower is a tough decision. At the start of the year he looked slow. But towards the end of the year and more so in the playoffs, he looked like his old self, flying through A gaps and making big play after big play. Do the Patriots ask him to take a pay-cut- willing to risk angering or losing the most experienced player in your front 7, who, when out of the lineup, has a noticeable absence?
- Bentley started in his 3 games this season and was even given the green dot. The team clearly has high hopes for him and believe he can be an integral part of the defense. Can he come back from a torn bicep and take a big step forward? If he does, what does that do for Roberts. With Hightower, Van Noy, and Bentley the top 3 linebackers, do they carry another bruising backer or do they invest in a third down type of guy? If Bentley looks healthy, don’t be surprised if Roberts is cut and that money is allocated elsewhere.
- Van Noy has turned into one of Bill’s best midseason pickups. Since he’s been her he as flourished in his role and provided stability to a position where his running mate is more often than not hurt.
- Secondary- The fate of the secondary is largely dependent on what Devin McCourty does. If he stays, they keep their leader and play caller that is one of the most under appreciated safeties in the NFL. Pat Chung is one of Bill’s favorite players, often times sighting his toughness and cerebral football brain. He went as far to say he wishes he could have 22 Pat Chungs. The number 2 corner spot is up for grabs. There are potentially 4 guys that could compete for it-something that will create great camp competition. There is a lot of talent in the secondary, but talent only goes so far.
- Devin McCourty can’t retire. I won’t allow it. The team will ask him to take a pay-cut, as 14 million is a big cap number in a time where they need space. But he needs to be back. Who will take his place as the general of the secondary, making sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be and know their responsibilities? Duron Harmon? He’s a nice complementary player but he is no McCourty. Bring him back at all costs.
- Chung is the epitome of a Bill Belichick football player. Tough as nails, always competing, and always where he is supposed to be. Ever since he was resigned in 2014 and his role adjusted from his time spent in his first go around here, he has been spectacular. But, he is on the wrong side of thirty and will have had two offseason operations, one keeping him out until training camp. Obi Melifonwu was signed with the intention of competing next year. He is big, physical, and possesses a lot of the traits Chung has. Is he Chungs replacement in waiting, and could he overtake the starting role?
- Stephon Gilmore is a stud, and was the best corner in the NFL last year. He continues a long tradition of corners who wore 24 here, following both Ty Law and Revis. But the spot opposite him is more in question. Jon Jones is your starting slot corner, but second year player Duke Dawson was drafted to be your slot corner. Him not being active in one game after he came off IR is alarming, but he could compete with Jones for that starting role. If not, he could be in a tight race with (possibly) Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, and Keion Crossen. Both McCourty and Jackson were pleasant surprises last year, with McCourty asuming that opposite spot of Gilmore, and Jackson Playing more than anyone thought. Crossen is an athletic corner, but lost his spot to Jackson. Will he come back and push Jackson for that spot?
- There is a lot of young talent in the secondary. With a lot of talent comes a lot of competition. This group should be just as good next year as they were last year.
This defense has the potential to be very, very good next year. But that doesn’t mean they will be perfect. Defensive tackle will still be a question. Devin McCourty needs to be back, as do Flowers and Hightower. You also need one of the young defensive ends to step up, and a healthy young crop of draft picks to prove that they belong on the 53. This offseason should be really interesting and very fun.
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