New England Patriots: 10 players to watch in first preseason matchup

By Sam Minton | Aug 9, 2018

IOWA CITY, IA - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Riley McCarron #83 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field in the first half against the defensive back Kishawn McClain #23 of the North Texas Mean Green on September 26, 2015 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

Dont’a Hightower

Dont’a Hightower only played 5 games last season. Hopefully, he will play in a lot more this year.

Hightower will look to be as dominant as ever even though he is coming off a brutal torn pectoral injury that ended his season in 2017.

Dont’a plays a major role in the Patriots defense. He is the quarterback and one of the Patriots best pass rushers. You will always see Hightower barking out orders, and aligning players in the perfect position.

With Hightower back, I think that the Patriots could have a top defense. Quarterbacks could dread going up against the New England pass rush.

On Thursday I’ll be looking to see how Hightower adjusts since he hasn’t played in a game in a little less than a year. Hopefully, he is still the same tenacious pass rusher that makes things difficult for opposing offenses.

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If the Patriots defense wants to be successful they are going to need Hightower to perform well.

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