Patriots' Robert Kraft & NFL Owners Unanimously Vote To Ban Hip Drop Tackle

This week's Annual League Meeting had a full slate of proposed rule changes for New England Patriots' Robert Kraft and the other NFL owners to vote on. In a controversial and unanimous decision, the owners voted that the hip-drop tackle is officially illegal.

The rule change adds another potential penalty for defenders. However, ideally it makes the game safer. NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said the technique has a 20-25 times injury rate. The hope is the ban adds more protection for Patriots playmakers like Rhamondre Stevenson, Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry. 

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard is a prime example. Pollard was injured in the January 2023 NFL playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers because of a hip-drop tackle. He was carted off the field and suffered a fractured fibula and high ankle sprain.

Officially from the NFL, it is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground:

(a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and

(b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner's leg(s) at or below the knee.

Penalty: For a Hip-Drop Tackle: Loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down.

In total, the NFL's competition committee is presenting six rule changes and NFL franchises are presenting four changes at the meetings, which take place March 24-27.

Currently, New England is focused on the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. With the No. 3-overall draft selection in their pocket, the Patriots are scouting and interviewing prospects with an eye on improving a few key position groups, including quarterback, running back and receiver.

The Chicago Bears are likely to select Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, and Jayden Daniels has become the consensus favorite to go No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders. 

At pick No. 3, the Patriots could be looking at Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy, who has skyrocketed up draft boards during the process.