2011 Offseason Outlook - Defensive Line

[jmt57]

With the Pats season over and free agency (hopefully) and the draft still a ways away, I figured this would be a good time to look back - and look forward - with some discussion at each position on the team.

Defensive Line
Vince Wilfork
Ty Warren (injured reserve)
Gerard Warren (free agent)
Ron Brace (injured reserve)
Mike Wright (injured reserve)
Eric Moore
Brandon Deaderick
Kyle Love
Myron Pryor
Landon Cohen
Kade Weston (injured reserve)
Darryl Richard (injured reserve)
Marlon Favorite (practice squad)

 

[jmt57]

It Is What It Is -- Patriots by position: Defensive line | Christopher Price

If the injured players — particularly Wright and Ty Warren — are able to return for the 2011 season at full strength, this is a position that should be one of the most dominant on the team. Point blank? Few teams could handle a duo of Ty Warren and Wilfork. (There’s also an excellent chance that Gerard Warren, a free agent, will return as well.) If that happens, the struggles the defensive line had when it came to stopping the run might be a thing of the past.

While a reunion of the veterans would seem likely, this is also a key offseason for the younger defensive linemen like Deaderick, Love, Pryor, Weston, Richard and Brace, all of whom will be challenged in 2011 to improve their game or face the prospect of spending more time on the sideline than they’d probably like. As for the rest of the group, Moore — a UFL refugee — probably won himself a spot going forward with some solid play down the stretch. However, don’t be surprised to see the Patriots go after at least one veteran defensive lineman in free agency (they have done so almost every year of the Belichick era) in hopes of building some more depth up front.

 

[jmt57]

Patriots Could Look to Add Defensive Line Depth in Draft, Despite Huge Year From Vince Wilfork - New England Patriots - NESN.com - Jeff Howe

Key Statistic
Wilfork isn't supposed to rack up many stats in the Patriots' defensive system, but he was unblockable, ranking third on the team with 87 tackles. He also had two sacks, four quarterback hits, two pass defenses and one fumble recovery.

Hot Topic
Wilfork and Gerard Warren (a free agent) held it down on the line, regardless of who was around them during the season, but the Patriots will be excited to get Ty Warren back to add some more stability. Ty Warren, who was placed on injured reserve two weeks into training camp, had surgery to correct a hip issue that bothered him for quite some time, so he'll be completely refreshed when he gets back at it next season.

Offseason Question
Will the Patriots select a defensive end in the first round of the draft?

The Patriots could use another cornerstone defensive end to fit around Wilfork and Ty Warren, and this draft class is absolutely loaded on the defensive front, with quite possibly a dozen D-linemen earning first-round grades. With Wilfork's versatility along the line, the Patriots don't necessarily have to go after an end, but that would be the most ideal position to target early in the draft. They should be able to land a good one with the 17th pick, but it would be really enticing to see the Patriots trade up to draft a game-changer like Cameron Heyward from Ohio State.

 

[RayClay]

Thanks for the articles as usual, jmt57. I'm going to disagree with Chris here and agree with Howe. We need to draft a top DE if available, no matter what.

Fairley and the Alabama guy might be too high, but if their's a fit we have to move up for, so be it. it's really hard to tell who and how high now, their are a bunch and I'm not a draftnik college fan at all. After our excellent drafting the last two years, we can't expect to fill the fewer holes left perfectly, we need to target the most importsnt and in our D that's always D Line any year we don't have Warren fork and Seymour.

Hopefully Warrens tip top, but we don't know that and Wilfork's only human, he can't disguise a revolving band of no names forever.

A top DE turns a weakness into a strength with one pick, since the chance to play Gerard and the new kids, including Brace, should give us the best depth in years.

 

[jeffbiologist]

If we are ever interested in trading up this would be the year. With a ton of picks we need a starting DE with high upside ASAP. Those guys dont hit free agency and we have plenty of stop-gap types. G.Warren deserves another shot but with a first round pick and the other Warren on his way back wont get him more time and he surely will get more $$ elsewhere after his prove-it year. Hopefully Wright makes it back and Pryor can find his 09 form. Hoping Love can develop a little bit, we will see if Vince can be a teacher. We need a playmaker along the line that simply isnt on the roster right now...

 

[jmt57]

Future Focus: Defensive line - espnBoston - Mike Reiss

First instinct: The Patriots have a lot of quantity along the line; the question is how much healthy quality.

Storyline not to be overlooked: Warren’s recovery from hip surgery that cost him the 2010 season and Wright’s future after sustaining a concussion that knocked him out the final seven games of the season. With Warren, how much has the wear and tear of surgeries taken a toll on him entering his ninth season? With Wright, will concussion concerns linger?

Future: Wilfork is the leader of the group and he’s signed through 2014. Warren (2013), Deaderick (2013), Wright (2012), Brace (2012) and Pryor (2012) are all locked up for multiple years.

Final thought: Wilfork had the best season of his seven-year career while moving from nose to end on a game-to-game basis. In the ideal scenario going forward for the Patriots, Wilfork will remain at nose and the sturdiness and consistency will be generated at the end spots. Veteran Gerard Warren, a two-down end who played 47 percent of the snaps in 2010, could also return.

 

[Sciz]

Only 7 DL are going to make the roster, and there are going to be some talented players cut. Depth isn't the issue right now, upside is. I expect a draft pick who isn't ready to start yet, but has the upside to be a very good DE in the scheme, somebody like JJ Watt, Muhammad Wilkerson, or Jarvis Jenkins. And Dareus doesn't fit the scheme

(Depth is not an issue as long as 4 of the top 7 don't get hurt again...)

 

[ATippett56]

If Marcel Dareus or Cameron Jordan fall to #17, the New England Patriots should draft one of them without hesitation.

 

[mgteich]

My conclusion is that we draft a DL in top 35 or not all. I'm not counting players drafted in the 6th or 7th as potential Practice Squad players.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

My conclusion is that we draft a DL in top 35 or not all. I'm not counting players drafted in the 6th or 7th as potential Practice Squad players.

I agree or we go the trade route with someone who is not even on the radar today. For some reason I think BB will pull out a trade with one of our first six picks. A lot depends on how BB feels about Warren's progress after missing the whole 2010 season.

 

[Shelterdog]

My conclusion is that we draft a DL in top 35 or not all. I'm not counting players drafted in the 6th or 7th as potential Practice Squad players.

I'm almost at the point of saying draft DL with the 17th pick or not at all. You want to turn the three top picks into big time, year one contributors, and I'm not sure that, say, Muhammed Wilkerson is going to be appreciably better as a rookie than whoever emerges from the battle of third year Brace/third year Pryor/second year Deaderick/third year Richard/second year Watson.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm almost at the point of saying draft DL with the 17th pick or not at all. You want to turn the three top picks into big time, year one contributors, and I'm not sure that, say, Muhammed Wilkerson is going to be appreciably better as a rookie than whoever emerges from the battle of third year Brace/third year Pryor/second year Deaderick/third year Richard/second year Watson.

I'm not a fan of trading multiple picks for a top 5 player but I am a fan of trading up and getting a player that makes sense.

In the absence of a Lawrence Taylor-type of player at OLB, I also agree that a 3-4 DE that can pressure the QB AND stop the run is a huge need on this team. Seeing that the team has 6 picks in the first 3 rounds, it has currency to trade up. While Fairley may be too expensive in the way of picks, I've seen Dareus projected anywhere from 4 to 14.

At any event, the team need more 3-down impact players on D- especially the D-line.

 

[jmt57]

Position Snapshot: Defensive Line | Patriots.com | 1/26/11 | Erik Scalavino

Erik Scalavino takes a look at each player on the roster on the defensive line; a couple of snippets below.

Changes, perhaps significant ones, could be in store for this group in 2011. Veteran Gerard Warren, having played on a one-year deal, has expressed a desire to return.

"I most definitely want to continue playing," Warren told reporters earlier this month as the team packed up for the offseason.

"I'd like for it to be here, so we'll see how things work out… It was an awesome experience to be able to come and work with a group of professionals, from top to bottom, people with the same mission and same focus. Hopefully we can come back next year and complete that mission."

Will the team welcome him back, or continue its youth movement? The answer could be both.

74 – Kyle Love
This rookie earned his roster spot as an undrafted free agent, and improved each time he stepped on the field, seeing more action as the year wore on. That fighting spirit should help him battle for another job in ’11.

Read more at: Position Snapshot: Defensive Line

 

[townes]

My conclusion is that we draft a DL in top 35 or not all. I'm not counting players drafted in the 6th or 7th as potential Practice Squad players.

I don't know if i'd be that draconian about it but I basically agree that they will have to use a high pick, first 3 rounds, to get a player who will make this team at DL. G. Warren should return and with Wright and Pryor that gives them 5 good DL. Players like Brace and Deaderick will be fighting for spots, as will Moore, Love, and others. They should bring in a quality Free Agent and draft at least one DL with their first 3 picks imo, that should give them the competition and depth to give them a really good DL next year. I do like Reiss idea of taking a 4-3 pass rusher early to give them flexibility as they are being forced out of their base too often to go without it.

 

[mgteich]

The situation is similar to last year. We wanted and needed a stud 3-4 DE. However, we had a reasonable group of players under contract. Presumably, Belichick considered DE in the early rounds (and rejected Odrick in favor of McCourty). This year, even more than last, once you get past 40, we are just as well with Brace, Deaderick, Pryor and Love, to be added to Wilfork, Warren and Warren (or a vet free agent). Wright is a wildcard who I do not expect to be on the active roster come September.

Sure we will also take a shot late as we ahve many times, and we may indeed find a player. After all, we still have Pryor, Deaderick and Love (and Richard and Weston).

My BOTTOM LINE is that we are ready to start the season without a stid DE if the value isn't there. Our 2011 DL would be stronger than 2010 even without a stud DE, with Ty Warren returning, and Brace presumably having improved some.

I don't know if i'd be that draconian about it but I basically agree that they will have to use a high pick, first 3 rounds, to get a player who will make this team at DL. G. Warren should return and with Wright and Pryor that gives them 5 good DL. Players like Brace and Deaderick will be fighting for spots, as will Moore, Love, and others. They should bring in a quality Free Agent and draft at least one DL with their first 3 picks imo, that should give them the competition and depth to give them a really good DL next year. I do like Reiss idea of taking a 4-3 pass rusher early to give them flexibility as they are being forced out of their base too often to go without it.

 

[jmt57]

Ty Warren's Return, Rich Draft Class Should Fill Patriots' Needs on Defensive Line - New England Patriots - NESN.com - Jeff Howe

Jeff Howe takes a look at 14 NFL free agent defensive linemen.

If the Patriots make any major additions to the defensive line, it will likely be through a draft that is loaded with talent on that front. Plus, head coach Bill Belichick has historically only added rotational defensive linemen through free agency, with the exception of Gerard Warren, whose playing time really increased after Ty Warren's injury and Ron Brace's slow start.

Gerard Warren actually had a pretty good year, and the free agent said he definitely wants to return to New England. If the Patriots retain him and use one of their first-round picks on a defensive lineman, they'll have had a really good offseason at that position. With the return of Ty Warren and the assumed improvement of the Patriots' youngsters, their defensive line should be in good shape in 2011.

Here's a look at the 2011 class of free-agent defensive linemen.

Head of the Class
1. Haloti Ngata has been the key cog to the Ravens' defensive front for a few seasons, and he is one of the three best 3-4 defensive tackles in the NFL. Ngata should be in line for a huge contract, and if he opens it up for league-wide bidding, he'd almost certainly earn a bigger payday than Vince Wilfork's $40 million, five-year deal.

Diamond in the Rough
Mathias Kiwanuka is coming off a neck injury that kept him out of 13 games last season, but he still had four sacks. Kiwanuka is primarily a defensive end, but he has played outside linebacker, which gives him some versatility for any team that's interested. Kiwanuka, a Boston College product, has 23.5 sacks in 61 career games over five seasons. He'll get some good money this offseason, but the injury could limit that value. With his upside as a pass rusher, a team could get a bargain if Kiwanuka pans out.

Fit for New England
Defensive end Dave Ball is a rotational player whose career has improved in his last three seasons with the Titans. The 30-year-old had a career-high seven sacks in 2010, and he's had 11.5 in his last three seasons. If the Patriots can't re-sign Gerard Warren, Ball could fill in with that veteran presence.

Read more at: Ty Warren's Return, Rich Draft Class Should Fill Patriots' Needs on Defensive Line

 

[jmt57]

Free-Agent Fit: Defensive line - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Rodak

Rodak also offers his opinion on the position.

RATING THE NEED: Moderate

KEY CONSIDERATION: Eight-year veteran Ty Warren is coming off a hip injury that wiped out his 2010 season. His production has dipped since receiving a large contract extension four seasons ago, so the team may be on the lookout for his eventual replacement.

NOTABLE TARGETS ON THE MARKET: Stephen Bowen (Cowboys), Damione Lewis (Texans), Wallace Gilberry (Chiefs; restricted), Shaun Ellis (Jets), Jacques Cesaire (Chargers), Paul Soliai (Dolphins), Ron Edwards (Chiefs), Aubrayo Franklin (49ers), Nick Eason (Steelers), Marcus Spears (Cowboys)

MOST LIKELY TARGET FOR PATS: Gerard Warren (Patriots)

SLEEPER POSSIBILITY FOR PATS: Damione Lewis (Texans)

WRAP IT UP: Even with the depth concerns caused by injuries late in the season, the position remains relatively well-stocked heading into 2011.

Read more at: Free-Agent Fit: Defensive Line

 

[jmt57]

It Is What It Is -- NFL Draft’s Potential Patriots: Temple DT Muhammad Wilkerson -- WEEI.com

There are also more notes in the article on the defensive line position for the Pats, as well as a video of Wilkerson.

Muhammad Wilkerson
Position: Defensive Tackle
School: Temple
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 305 pounds
Achievements: First team All-MAC (2009)

What he brings: With ideal size and ability as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper, Wilkerson is an ideal five-technique prospect. He played 11 games as a junior, racking up 68 tackles, 10 sacks, and a forced fumble in his final year as an Owl. The New Jersey native had steady enough production in his sophomore and junior campaigns that his stock probably wouldn’t get past being a late first-rounder at best, and given the Patriots’ plethora of picks in the first two rounds, they could stand to use Carolina’s pick on him to solidify a position that was in flux a season ago.

Where the Patriots could get him: No. 33 or 60.

Read more at: NFL Draft’s Potential Patriots: Temple DT Muhammad Wilkerson

 

[jmt57]

Mayock: Which 3-4 DE might be the best fit for the Patriots? - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Reiss

A follow-up question was asked about which 3-4 defensive end might be the best fit for the Patriots at No. 17, 28 or 33.

"There are a bunch of them," Mayock responded. "J.J. Watt, I might like him more than other people, but he's to me the prototypical guy. He fits exactly what they do. I think Cam Jordan, from Cal, fits into that slot. He's got some natural pass-rush to him. J.J. Watt is probably a little more stout against the run, where Jordan can probably naturally get to the quarterback a little bit better than Watt. Cam Heyward could be at 33, Muhammad Wilkerson could be at 33. They're the real logical guys anywhere from 17 to 33."

Musings from Mayock on draft - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Reiss

Deep at defensive end/outside linebacker. Mayock calls 2011 “the best defensive end class I’ve seen.” He has 8/9 defensive ends with first-round grades. Typically, there would be four defensive ends in the first round.

Looking closer at 3-4 defensive ends. When Mayock broke down 3-4 defensive ends, he started with J.J. Watt (Wisconsin) – his top player at the position – before discussing Cameron Jordan (California) and Cameron Heyward (Ohio State). Mayock said Jordan “had a great week at the Senior Bowl” and Heyward’s strong performance in a Bowl game against Arkansas has him rising. He also said Mo Wilkerson (Temple) could be available in the second round but is a “first-round player.” Overall, Mayock called this a strong year for 3-4 defensive ends, using Oregon’s Brandon Bair as an example of a quality prospect who might be available in the third or fourth round.

Making a comparison with Aldon Smith. When it comes to top pass rushers, Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith is a prospect whose name has been tied to the Patriots by some media analysts. Mayock drew the comparison to defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, a first-round pick of the Giants in 2010, as well as former NFL linebacker Simeon Rice. Mayock has Smith as his No. 7 defensive end, but with the deep class, he’s still a first-rounder in Mayock’s view. “I think he’s too explosive, too fast, to not go in the first round,” he said, noting that he is still evaluating him to get a better feel on what scheme he fits best.

Read more at: Mayock: Which 3-4 DE might be the best fit for the Patriots
Read more at: Musings from Mayock on draft

 

[zipster9]

I'm not a fan of trading multiple picks for a top 5 player but I am a fan of trading up and getting a player that makes sense.

In the absence of a Lawrence Taylor-type of player at OLB, I also agree that a 3-4 DE that can pressure the QB AND stop the run is a huge need on this team. Seeing that the team has 6 picks in the first 3 rounds, it has currency to trade up. While Fairley may be too expensive in the way of picks, I've seen Dareus projected anywhere from 4 to 14.

At any event, the team need more 3-down impact players on D- especially the D-line.

There are some good Draft Prospects a DE (3-4):

Cameron Jordon
Cameron Heyward
JJ Watt
Marcus Dareus


I'd be happy if Patriots keep their 17th pick, trade their 28th, and pick any of the 4 above.

For their 33rd, they can upgrade their OL.