I expect New England’s defense will take a big step back this year. Bill Belichick might be one of the best at finding at developing unheralded players, but with these recent opt outs, I think the Patriots have passed the tipping point.
It’s not just Donta Hightower (pictured) and Patrick Chung. Recall that they also got hit pretty solidly in free agency. Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy signed contracts with the Lions and Dolphins averaging over $10 million per year. And Danny Shelton signed a two-year deal worth $8 million, also with Detroit.
Nine Patriots last year had at least 50 tackles. Over half of those guys won’t be with the team this year.
NEW ENGLAND DEFENSE | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Player | GS | Tackles | 2020 season |
OLB | Jamie Collins | 14 | 81 | $30 million for 3 yrs, Det. |
MLB | Donta Hightower | 15 | 71 | coronavirus opt out |
DT | Danny Shelton | 14 | 61 | $8 million for 2 yrs, Det. |
DE | Lawrence Guy | 16 | 61 | |
FS | Devin McCourty | 16 | 58 | |
OLB | Kyle Van Noy | 15 | 56 | $51 million for 4 yrs, Mia. |
CB | Stephon Gilmore | 16 | 53 | |
DB | Jonathan Jones | 9 | 53 | |
SS | Patrick Chung | 12 | 51 | coronavirus opt out |
LB | JaWhaun Bentley | 2 | 44 | |
DE | John Simon | 13 | 44 | |
CB | Jason McCourty | 10 | 40 | |
DB | J.C. Jackson | 6 | 36 | |
LB | Elandon Roberts | 3 | 29 | $2 million for 1 yr, Mia. |
LB | Chase Winovich | 0 | 26 | |
DL | Adam Butler | 2 | 26 | |
DL | Deatrich Wise | 3 | 26 | |
DB | Terrence Brooks | 0 | 24 | |
DB | Duron Harmon | 8 | 22 | |
DE | Shilique Calhoun | 1 | 9 | |
DB | Nate Ebner | 0 | 8 | $2 million for 1 yr, NYG |
DE | Michael Bennett | 1 | 5 | retired |
DB | Joejuan Williams | 0 | 5 | |
DL | Byron Cowart | 0 | 2 |
The Patriots have had to move forward after big personnel losses many times in the past, of course. Richard Seymour, Trey Flowers, Malcolm Butler, Chandler Jones, Asante Samuel and others. I’m not saying the defense will completely fall apart. But it’s definitely primed for a big drop.
New England allowed the fewest yards in the league last year, but it ranked 29th and 21st in yards allowed the previous two seasons. And while the Patriots had 47 sacks last year, they were down at 30 the previous season (next to last).
I don’t expect I’ll be drafting the New England in any leagues.
—Ian Allan