New England Patriots have a great draft need at defensive tackle
The New England Patriots top need this off-season is multiple offensive tackles. No top offensive line equals no offense. It’s as simple as that.
The New England Patriots could have all the top receivers in the league and without a great offensive line, or a very escape-capable quarterback, they are toast. Right now, they have neither.
Since Mac Jones will likely be the quarterback in 2023 and his escapability quotient is poor, then the offensive line has to be even more prioritized. Jones’ escapability is about three out of 10. It’s not good.
If they trade, however for a more mobile quarterback like Lamar Jackson (a pipe dream) or more realistically, Skylar Thompson of Miami, that will help. Regardless, whoever it may be, they need to add at least two and perhaps three new offensive tackles.
In addition, the New England Patriots need a significant refresh at defensive tackle, and let’s take a look at exactly why.
New England Patriots defensive line is aging and mired in mediocrity
The New England Patriots emerged this season at the edge with two top outside pass rushers in the All-Pro-worthy Matt Judon and the finally ascending Josh Uche. It took a while, but if Uche can remain as effective as in 2023, he’ll be a star.
Patriots.com notes,
"Uche’s emergence down the stretch may be the best development of 2022, After two relatively quiet and injury-marred seasons, Uche has turned it on over the last half of the campaign and is now perhaps the team’s best pure pass rusher."
Not sure about that last comment (uh, Matt Judon?) but defensive tackle is another story. The Patriots have one nascent star in the position and that’s Christian Barmore.
He, unfortunately, was wracked with knee issues in 2022. (Hopefully, they are resolved in the offseason.) and only played in 10 games. Yet when he played, he was a definite asset with his pocket-collapsing ability and 23 tackles, and 2.5 sacks.
To complement Barmore, there isn’t much. Veteran Daniel Ekuale is decent, and capable of making a play here and there from time to time. Ekuale played in 14 games but only logged 14 tackles and 2 sacks, not nearly enough. He needs to be more consistent if he is to make the team in 2023.
Also on the current New England Patriots roster are long-time player, Lawrence Guy, big-money free agent Davon Godchaux, and journeyman Carl Davis Jr. Guy played in 14 games with 46 total tackles and two sacks. Those are decent but not earth-shattering numbers.
Davis played in 16 games with only 11 tackles and a sack. That’s not going to move the needle very much. Then there was the best of the bunch statistically, Godchaux.
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Godchaux played in 16 games and had 62 tackles and two sacks. That’s decent production but not if you’re looking to be an AFC East title contender. What needs to be done this offseason?
New England Patriots need to draft a defensive tackle or two
There’s no doubt, the Patriots defensive tackle (DT) position is lacking. It’s just OK and nothing more and when Barmore is out, it’s even less effective.
The preferred solution here is to use the draft to augment this position. In this case, preferably the second-round pick or second pick the Patriots use should be a DT.
With a solid linebacker inside in Ja’Whaun Bentley and two top edge players, the missing part of the front seven is at tackle. They need a playmaking tackle or two added to Barmore to make the linebacking unit even more effective and give some extra assistance to the defensive backfield.
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Guy and Davis can be waived. Godchaux may be a trade possibility if they can get decent draft value. A fourth-round pick for Godchaux would suffice here. Otherwise, he can be a decent backup.
But the top need is another starter to add to Barmore to make plays, whether it be sacks, pressures, or run stops behind the line of scrimmage. It’s not there now and it has to be addressed.
In the draft, here’s a hint at the next installment, you may want to look to Baylor for the next New England Patriots defensive lineman. More on draft options later.