New England Patriots: Top 5 defensive performers of 2018 NFL season

After struggling during parts of the 2018 NFL season, the New England Patriots defense stepped up to lead the team so a Super Bowl LIII victory.

Defense wins championships, especially when they are headed by New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

For all the criticism he took in the Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and not paying for defensive talent, Belichick proved he is still on the top of his game in 2018.

In leading a defense that lacked explosive talent, Belichick, along with defensive playcaller Brian Flores used creative schemes to put their players in the best position to make plays and they did exactly that.

Although the defense as a whole struggled through the early part of the season, they found solid play on all three levels from both reliable and unlikely players to become a formidable defense towards the end of the 2018 NFL season and through the playoffs.

In fact, there could be a case made that the defense was the MVP of Super Bowl LIII.  Not only were they physical in limiting the Los Angeles Rans to just 3 points, they communicated as a team and executed in a way that confused Sean McVay and his quarterback Jared Groff.

From Jonathan Jones to Dont’a Hightower, the New England Patriots defense in 2018 became the driving force of the team and a reason they now call themselves the defending Super Bowl champions.

Here are the top 5 defensive performers of 2018.

5. Elandon Roberts

Not many would expect Elandon Roberts to be on this list, but after a less than desirable sophomore season with the New England Patriots, Roberts did improve in 2018.

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In fact, he looked like the promising linebacker he was as a rookie in making the team as a late-round pick.  A devastating downhill tackler, Roberts became a more all-around linebacker throughout the season.

In a way, he was forced to do so when rookie linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley went down with a season-ending injury, but his growth during the season playing alongside Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower was undeniable as former Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores pointed out following an early December victory against the Minnesota Vikings.

"“I think E-Rob has really grown as a player, I would say, this being his third year,” Flores said, as transcribed by NESN.  “Obviously, I’ve spent a lot of time with him.  This guy, he works extremely hard.  I would say nobody studies more film or works harder in practice.  I mean, he’s up there with anyone else on the team as far as that’s concerned.”"

Flores also noted how Roberts improved in all areas of the game his game, including defending the pass – an area where all the New England Patriots linebackers have struggled.

In all, the aggressive nature of Elandon Roberts added to his increase in production was one of the reasons the Patriots defense improved.  He is a tone setter who should really feed off the season he had as a player.

4. Lawrence Guy

The New England Patriots defensive lineman isn’t flashy, but he does his job.

With 59 total combined tackles and 1.0 sacks, Lawrence Guy did not stand out on the Patriots defense, but that is actually a good thing.

What Guy did in 2019 that puts him on this list is stabilize the middle of the Patriots defensive line particularly against the run as the season moved forward.  With players like Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton not performing up to expectations, the importance of Lawrence Guy and his reliable play throughout the season should be applauded.

An underrated free agent signing in 2017, Guy has morphed into the ultimate team player and a guy who just goes out there and does his job.

The hustle he showed in forcing a fumble against the Green Bay Packers during the team’s Sunday Night Football matchup back in November summed up Guy’s role and what he brings to the field on every play.

"“I go out there and play for my brothers on the field,” Guy said, via NBC Sports Boston.  “That’s one thing: I play for them, play for my family, play for myself.  It doesn’t concern me, all the hype.  As long as my brothers next to me know I’m playing as hard as I can, and I’m leaving my heart out there, that’s all I care for.  That’s how we play as a defense.  We’re not a selfish defense.  We’re a defense that wants to work together and have fun together.  That’s the mentality we have.”"

That mentality led the team to a Super Bowl LIII win over the Los Angeles Rams.  Players like Lawrence Guy on defense is the reason a team lacking talent was able to put it all together and succeed as a total unit.

3. Kyle Van Noy

Well, how could you not appreciate what Kyle Van Noy did in 2019?

The veteran linebacker was simply all over the field during the regular season and playoffs.  On top of his 92 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks, Van Noy had an interception, a fumble return for a touchdown and a blocked kick return for a touchdown.

In the playoffs, he was a major factor with 2 sacks on Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship game and a sack on Jared Goff in Super Bowl LIII.  Above all, his intensity and vocal leadership on and off the field was highly recognized.

In what was definitely the best season of his career, Kyle Van Noy was the definition of what it meant to be a piece of a Patriots’ defense that silenced the critics.  His overall versatility allows New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to use him in different situations.

"“Like a lot of good football players, they just know what to do.  And I would say he’s [Kyle Van Noy] one of those – Hightower, those guys – sometimes they get in a situation that we haven’t really covered this, and they just do the right thing because they’re just good, instinctive players,” Belichick said about Van Noy’s decision making.  “So, Kyle’s shown to be all that, plus he’s given us good depth in the kicking game.”"

On a team with no big-name stars, Kyle Van Noy became the face of what the 2018 New England Patriots defense was all about.  Now, it is time for the team to consider giving him a contract extension.  That’s how important he has become.

2. Trey Flowers

The stock of Trey Flowers continued to rise in 2018.  In fact, he may have become too expensive for the New England Patriots to maintain.

With 57 combined tackles and 7.5 sacks, there was no doubt the fourth-year defensive end was the heart of the Patriots defensive line.  The numbers don’t jump off the page, but his versatility and dependability were reliable throughout the regular season when healthy.

In the playoffs and Super Bowl, he simply took it to another level with physicality and a demand for stopping the run and getting pressure on the quarterback in big spots.  Simply put, Trey Flowers has done everything necessary to earn a big contract.  Depending on his motivation after winning two Super Bowls with the Patriots, he may very well cash in someplace else.

If he does, don’t for one second think Bill Belichick doesn’t appreciate the player he has morphed into during his time in New England.

"“Trey’s given us great play all year,” Belichick said prior to the team’s Week 17 win over the New York Jets.  “He’s a tough matchup guy.  He played left end and he also played inside today, as he does most games.  He can match up on tackles.  He can match up on the guards and centers and that gives us some flexibility with some other players as well.”"

As important as that versatility is in New England, other teams are lining up to reap the sow of his growth.  The Patriots may just surprise everyone this offseason and keep Trey Flowers blossoming in Foxboro.

1.    Stephon Gilmore

A 2018 Pro-Bowl selection, All-Pro selection and Super Bowl champion, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore went from scapegoat in the first half of the 2017 NFL season to the team’s top defensive player in 2018.

With 20 passes defensed and two interceptions during the regular season, Gilmore wore the No. 24 well, making Hall-of-Fame cornerback Ty Law proud.  Graded by Pro Football Focus as the top cornerback in all the NFL, Gilmore proved it with his play throughout the season and through the playoffs.

It was actually fitting when he basically clinched Super Bowl LIII with a late fourth quarter interception off Jared Goff.

In all, Stephon Gilmore’s solid play in the secondary enabled Brian Flores and Bill Belichick to scheme better with the personnel they had.

A true shutdown corner, Gilmore made Belichick’s decision not to play Malcolm Butler a wise choice.  His play throughout 2018 also validated the team’s decision to sign him to that massive four-year, $65 million deal that shocked the NFL world during free agency in 2017.