Patriots Plan: New England's Depth Chart Heading Into NFL Draft - DEFENSE
FOXBORO — Despite their need for significant improvement on offense, the New England Patriots defense appears to be content with keeping the band together heading into the upcoming season.
In 2022, New England’s preventive unit led the NFL with seven defensive touchdowns and produced 30 takeaways, second to only the Dallas Cowboys (33). As such, the Pats consistently ranked among the NFL's top 10 teams in total defense, total yards-allowed, and yards yielded-per-offensive-play.
Still, the retirement of longtime team captain Devin McCourty, along with the absence of a bona fide perimeter cornerback on their roster, lends credence to the adage that there is always room for improvement. In fact, the defensive backfield, has been identified as a prominent area of need for the Patriots heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
With the Draft just hours form its start, here is a look at the Pats current defensive depth chart, along with the team’s biggest needs at each position.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Projected Starters: Deatrich Wise, Jr (LDE), Lawrence Guy (RDE), Davon Godchaux (IDL)
Reserves: Christian Barmore, Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Sam Roberts
Though the Patriots front seven failed to live up to its lofty expectations in 2022, the unit improved — especially in defending the run. Godchaux and Guy should continue to align as the team’s interior options, with the third-year lineman Barmore taking the snaps on 4-3 sets. Wise emerged as a key contributor on the pass rush, setting career highs in both tackles (59) and sacks with 7.5. Carl Davis and Daniel Ekuale provided solid depth in defending the run, as well as the pass rush, leading the Pats to re-sign the pair as free agents during the offseason.
Biggest Draft Need: EDGE, Agility at Pass-Rusher
LINEBACKERS
Projected Starters: Matthew Judon (WLB), Ja’Whaun Bentley (Inside L), Jahlani Tavai (Inside R), Josh Uche (SLB)
Reserves: Anfernee Jennings, Mack Wilson, Raekwon McMillan
Matthew Judon once again supplied the athleticism and aggression to the Patriots pass rush in 2022. New England’s only Pro Bowl selection led the team with 15.5 sacks. With the emergence of Josh Uche (11.5 sacks) as a potent weapon in their pass rush, as well as the run stoppage of both Jahlani Tavai and Ja’Whaun Bentley, the Pats are once again poised to be well-equipped at the position. Mack Wilson flashed some signs of sideline-to-sideline athleticism. However, his inability to truly assimilate into the Pats defensive system saw him relegated to mostly special teams coverage duty by season’s end. Still, New England apparently saw enough to retain Wilson’s services by signing him to a one-year contract shortly after the start of free agency.
Biggest Draft Need: Rotational Off-Ball Linebacker
CORNERBACKS
Projected Starters: Jonathan Jones (LCB), Jack Jones (RCB), Marcus Jones (SCB)
Reserves: Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade
New England’s secondary had to endure a number of injuries to key players throughout the year, especially at cornerback. With Jalen Mills having missed seven games due to a groin injury, Jonathan Jones inherited the duties as the team’s top perimeter corner. The former slot specialist tied for the team lead in interceptions (alongside the recently-retired McCourty) with four. Both Jack Jones and Marcus Jones showed enough prowess as rookies to indicate a bright future at the position, each grabbing a pair of interceptions respectively. Bryant, who was retained as a restricted free agent, played in all 17 games, taking 61 percent of the Pats defensive snaps, primarily out of the slot.
Biggest Draft Need: Outside/Perimeter Cornerback
SAFETIES
Projected Starters: Kyle Dugger (SS), Jalen Mills (FS)
Reserves: Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, Joshuah Bledsoe
The challenge of filling the shoes of 12-time team captain Devin McCourty will apparently fall on Mills. Following his surprising release in March, the veteran defensive back re-signed with the Pats, based on the premise that he would be aligning primarily at safety in 2023. Kyle Dugger was New England’s standout at strong, earning two interception returns and one fumble recovery for a touchdown last season. Phillips once again served as the team’s hybrid linebacker/safety, while Peppers assumed the role of backfield enforcer. Peppers’ tenacity and versatility made him an easy retention for the Pats, signing a two-year deal in March. In spite of the occasional sputter, the Pats safeties were one of the strongest positional groups in 2022, and look to continue that trend into 2023.
Biggest Draft Need: Free Safety
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