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New England Patriots: Chase Winovich brings familiar attitude to defense

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 03: Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 03: Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots selection of Michigan edge rusher Chase Winovich is being considered the steal of the draft and here’s why.

New England Patriots fans are going to absolutely love third-round pick Chase Winovich and so are the coaches.

Besides somehow sliding to No. 77 to the defending Super Bowl champions, Winovich is labeled as the biggest personality of the 2019 NFL Draft.  Above that, it is his work ethic, high motor and commitment to getting better that makes him the ideal Patriot and the kind of player Bill Belichick has adored during his tenure in New England.

Think Mike Vrabel and Rob Ninkovich when you think about the 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive end out of Michigan.  With a personality to go along with his long hair and eccentric personality, Winovich not only brings a familiar edge to the defense, he comes with the versatility Belichick clamors for in a football player.

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"“We stood him up as an outside linebacker.  His primary goal was to go hunt the quarterback.  But there’s no question, he can drop back and over,” Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown told the Boston Herald last month.  “He has tight end in his background.  He has hands, he can catch.  This offseason, getting ready for the combine, he trained a lot sanding up, dropping into the flat, playing coverage, working on his hands.  So he can do those things.  We just didn’t ask him.  The priority for s was to get him around the quarterback.  But he can do it all.  There’s no doubt about that.”"

You better believe Belichick knows about Winovich’s tight end background and will use him at some point in goal line situations at tight end like he did so effectively with Mike Vrabel.  But, before getting ahead of ourselves, what Winovich brings to the defense toughness and personality that was missing most of 2018.

Before finding their stride in the playoffs, the defense really didn’t have an identity.  Trey Flowers was doing his thing along the defensive line, Stephon Gilmore was holding down the secondary, but beyond that, no one really stuck out on the defensive side.

Adding a Michael Bennett and a personality like Chase Winovich does change that.  Also add to that the team bringing back Jamie Collins and suddenly the New England Patriots have a defense with some edge and above all else, a defense motivated.

Winovich, who just may be the next great star on the team out of Michigan, certainly adds to that motivation.

"“I think there’s a lot of people who can get complacent.  I like to not be one of those people.  I’m always trying to be a better version of myself,” Winovich said during his introductory conference.  “I never want to peak.  I just want to keep getting better and keep working on the little things, because I really is in the details.”"

If that doesn’t sound like the perfect Patriots, I don’t know what else does.

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In summary, Chase Winovich not only brings some speed as a pass rusher, his attention to detail along with the attitude he brings to work hard on every play should rub off on the players around him.  Considering the type of players the New England Patriots value, nabbing this man in the third round is definitely a steal.

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