How will the New England Patriots defense look in 2022? With Bill Belichick depending on some younger players to stir things up on that side of the football this upcoming season, there could be some growing pains, but there is also optimism that this unit may be better than we think.
This is the greatest defensive mind in the NFL we are talking about. While that could be put up to debate the last few seasons, Belichick still finds a way to get the best out of players to accept their role and commit to the system.
In embracing a youth movement on that side of the football, the Patriots are looking to get faster, more physical, and more versatile. Looking at the final 53-man roster, it looks like that is exactly what Belichick has done.
New England Patriots have a nice mix of veteran leadership and hungry young players
With key veterans like Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Matthew Judon and Lawrence Guy anchoring the ship as far as experience and leadership, this should be an interesting year on the defensive side of the ball. Will Belichick master this group into one of the top defenses in the NFL in 2022?
There are no players outside of Judon who strike fear into opposing offenses heading into this season, but the New England Patriots have some players who could and should be on the brink of dominance. Though Belichick will be relying on a cast of young players and newcomers to simply do their job, the Patriots need a few players to step their game up to elite status.
In looking at the final roster, here are three defensive players who could wreak havoc in 2022 and elevate the New England Patriots defense into one of the best in the league.
4. Bringing the heat off the edge, New England Patriots LB Josh Uche finally breaks through
There will be more pressure on Matthew Judon to bring the pressure in 2022, but the due in the red sleeves will need someone else to emerge to make his presence on defense even more important. That’s where third-year linebacker Josh Uche comes into play.
With fellow third-year edge rusher Anfernee Jennings also showing improvement, Uche will have some competition for playing time. After showing flashes of dominance in this first two seasons, this is the season the Patriots need this ultra-fast and powerful linebacker to be that dude coming off the edge opposite Judon.
More sacks!
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 19, 2022
This time Josh Uche gets in the action 💪pic.twitter.com/TXK1NRhHK5
Health is obviously the key when it comes to Uche, but the talent is there and so is his commitment. Along with that, the Patriots defense is depending on him to make some noise in 2022. Back in May, defensive assistant coach Steve Belichick called Uche the “blueprint” of what they want to be on defense.
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"“I see him as part of the…blueprint,” the younger Belichick said, via NBC Sports Boston. “I see him being an important piece to the puzzle for us going forward. There’s a lot of factors to it besides what he’s going to do. …I see Josh being a big part of this defense. We’ll see how the competition plays out. Josh is another guy who’s doing everything right, who’s putting a lot of hard work in, setting up as well as he could to help us out on the field once we get to camp. It’s all just a building process. He’s done everything right so far.”"
And so far, Uche has done everything he needs to do to set himself up to do some great things in 2022 which will include at least doubling his career total of 4 sacks.
Is greatness in the forecast in Year 3? If that talent and commitment merges with experience, New England Patriots fans are going to see a star shine in Foxborough as will the rest of the NFL.
3. Mack Wilson will be a key New England Patriots addition in 2022
Will another Alabama alum prosper under the guidance and mystique of the great Bill Belichick?
Blessed with a fresh start, 24-year-old Mack Wilson is one of those players who I’m predicting will come to New England and really thrive. Acquired in the deal that sent Chase Winovich to the Cleveland Browns, Wilson is a player who adds both speed and explosiveness to the linebacker group.
As one of those linebackers who fly around the field, Wilson is a player who could lead the Patriots in tackles in 2022, especially if the hard work he showed in training camp and the preseason continues.
"“Mack’s done a good job for us,” Belichick said back in August. “He came in the spring, he was really an outstanding worker all spring and learned some different things that we do here. But h’s adapted well. He’s been productive on defense and in the kicking game so far. We look forward to seeing him out there.”"
As one of the inside linebackers along with Ja’Whaun Bently, Raekwon McMillan and Jahlani Tavai, Wilson will play a big role on defense and should wreak havoc because of his ability to bring that speed the New England Patriots are looking for and cover running backs and tight ends.
In showing flashes with the Browns, Wilson will emerge in New England because he’ll be working with a linebacker’s coach like Jerod Mayo who he sees as a “legend.” If anyone knows what it takes to emerge as an inside linebacker in Belichick’s system, it is Mayo. With the speed and athleticism Wilson has, it will be no surprise here if he rises as one of the key playmakers on defense by mid-season.
2. Kyle Dugger will be the swiss army knife of the New England Patriots defense
New England Patriots hard-hitting safety Kyle Dugger is the prime example of why Bill Belichick takes chances and reach in the draft.
The 2020 second-round draft pick out of Lenoir-Rhyne University put some respect on his name in 2021 with 92 combined tackles and four interceptions. His hard-hitting style of football reminded many of Patrick Chung, which is how Belichick is and will use him.
Following a Year 2 leap, there is no reason to believe Dugger won’t make another leap in Year 3, one that will catapult him into one of the top safeties in the NFL. Yes, I said it…one of the best because of his combination of speed, physicality, and high IQ; a combination of skills that teammate Devin McCourty highlights as the reason why “sky’s the limit” for the third-year safety.
"“I love Dug,” McCourty said back in June. “The way he’s able to not care about what people are saying about him, what’s he’s done in the past – being a DII player – he doesn’t care about any of that. Dug shows up, can do everything, can play in the deep part of the field, can cover. “Obviously, if you watched any of our games, you know he can knock your head off. I just love watching him grow. I think sky’s the limit for him.”"
There is no doubt about that. As he has emerged as one of the Patriots best defenders, expect Dugger to be the centerpiece of that position-less football Belichick will be bringing to the table in 2022. Like Uche and Wilson, he will be a player flying all around the field wreaking havoc and he’ll do it in that hybrid role Belichick loves, except he’ll grow to be even better than Chung and you can mark my words.
1. New England Patriots defensive stud Christian Barmore will raise the bar in 2022
One player who won’t be wreaking havoc all over the field is Christion Barmore. That’s because he will be wreaking havoc in the backfield and putting fear in opposing quarterback’s eyes.
With Matt Judon and Josh Uche coming off the edge, there won’t be any force more dominant up the middle than Barmore who showcased the energy and force he can bring during his rookie season. The man simply brought it. He had just 1.5 sacks on the season, but it really felt like more as he was constantly in the backfield bringing the heat up the middle.
As one of the few players the rest of the NFL is looking at with star potential, Barmore will live up to the hype in 2022. At 6-foot-5, 311 pounds with a motor, there is no reason he shouldn’t shine in the middle of that defense in his second season.
Not only is he a disruptive force, but he also comes with a meanness the Patriots really haven’t had since the days of Vince Wilfork.
With Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise, Carl Davis and rookie Sam Roberts rounding out that defensive line group, Barmore will have the opportunity to really emerge in a way that he will draw double and triple teams opening up lanes for other players to make plays.
It will be fun to watch and the rest of the NFL should be put on alert.