New England Patriots: Critical offseason grades post-NFL Draft
New England Patriots defensive additions
The Patriots almost completely made over their defensive line that couldn’t stop the run in 2020. Added were Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, and Montravious Adams. Two were from Division rivals which is always nice.
Godchaux had 76 tackles for Miami in 2019. Anderson had seven sacks for the Jets in 2018 and is a tall, disruptive force. Both are very likely starters for the team in 2021.
There is not much not to like there. They have to be an upgrade over last season’s unit. In addition, Lawrence Guy, probably the Patriots’ best last season, and Deatrich Wise Jr. will return. Thus unit should clearly be better than last season’s.
Dont’a Hightower‘s return (hopefully he will return) from Covid-19 opt-out has to be a huge boost. Yet, at linebacker/edge, they also added real quality.
Matt Judon comes over from Baltimore. Count on his notching between 6-8 sacks (or better, he had 9.5 in 2019) every year. He’s a top player as his two Pro Bowls the past two seasons clearly indicate. He’ll add punch to the team’s languid pass rush for certain.
In addition, a former Patriots (and a personal favorite) Kyle Van Noy returns home after vacationing in Miami for a year and then being unceremoniously dumped after a really solid season.
Van Noy logged 69 tackles and six sacks (which would have led the Patriots as would Judon’s six). That notwithstanding, Van Noy was sent packing and is a man on a mission this season for the Patriots. Interestingly, the first 2021 game is against those Dolphins. That will be a good one.
A lesser addition but one who cold surprise is Raekwon McMillan. He had a monster year with the Dolphins in 2018 with 105 tackles but has fallen off since. Perhaps Belichick and Jerod Mayo can rejuvenate this inside linebacker and if so, they will have a fine player on their hands.
In the secondary, New England added one significant name, Jalen Mills who came over from Philadelphia. MiIls is a solid player who had 1.5 sacks and 74 tackles for the Eagles last season.
Mills can play corner and some safety. He’s a solid, versatile addition especially with the departure of Jason McCourty to free agency and Miami.
All in all, an extremely solid influx of proven NFL-caliber talent.
A very high grade here. A+.