The 2016-2017 Defense

For the first time in many years, not a lot of work to do, of course there's a need at LB to replace Mayo and a CB to pair with Butler and some usual moves but I think the majority of work to be put in the defense in the next few months will be more on the management department and pursuing some good depth players castoff from other teams.

The way the season ended I don't see how we go to this Free Agency/Draft without prioritizing the Offense by a lot like 70%/30%.

Indeed, unless an offer that can't be refused flies in for Chandler Jones the priorities will be a #3 LB, a #2/3 CB (depending on how one feels about the potential of Ryan, Coleman and Roberts) and a backup DT (re-signing Akiem Hicks would be nice, but it could be that somebody out there will offer him more than what the Patriots are willing to match).

For me, this offseason is primarily about the offense, but obviously you can't completely ignore any part of the roster. In my opinion, our defensive philosophy during free agency and the draft should focus on mitigating the chances of regression. In other words, if things stay the same as last year, the defense is very good, but as we all know in the NFL things rarely ever stay the same. Some guys get better, some get worse. We need to focus on the areas where one or two guys regressing could leave us with a glaring hole, and add competition to those spots. This will push the existing players to get better, and provide insurance should they fail.

Positions I think need this added competition:

Depth corner (or even starting corner, which allows Ryan to be used to bolster the depth)
Depth linebacker (especially if Mayo is gone)
Depth DT - I feel pretty good about this group actually, but Hicks and Siliga need to be re-signed or replaced.

Other than that, I feel good about all the starters, which is not a bad place to be at all.

I think Hicks really needs to be re-signed. I liked what I saw and think he is a valuable role player. We should probably keep either Chris Jones or Siliga, more for depth purposes. I like Easley but am worried about him lasting a whole season/playoffs. LB is definitely top priority if you ask me. We need a Mayo replacement (if he leaves) and better quality depth. Unless, by some chance Bostic is the real deal or Kevin Snyder. I like our CBs but of course wouldn't mind us adding someone like Sean Smith. If not, Tarrell Brown should come back for depth and to mentor guys like Coleman, Johnson and Roberts.

Butler + Roberts emerge as an elite CB duo

Brown makes the leap to probowl level play

Easley is the X factor*. He could be one of the best DTs in the league. We just don't know what to expect because of his injury history.

The rest of the vets on D continue to play great (Jones, Sheard, Ninko, HT, Collins, McCourty, Chung).


The 2015 defense was a great defense that flirted with elite play (Broncos, Seahawks, Panthers) at times. The 2016 defense should be top 3-5 and our best defense in years.


* If Butler has a third year leap similar to Sherman/Revis then that could change the defense as well. Considering he went from a rookie CB5 to a great CB1 in year 2 anything is possible with that kid.

Another starting linebacker

I think on Defense this offseason, we are just looking at adding depth. I think we need to focus on the Offense by adding a rb, wr, a veteran guard and a tight end.

If they re-sign Hicks then this DL is 8 deep imo, so they can concentrate on the back seven in the offseason, and even that doesn't need to much work.

DL

Ninkovich
Brown
Easely
Jones
Sheard
Hicks
Flowers
Branch

(Siliga and Chris Jones are going to have a tough time breaking into this line up)

Mayo obviously has to redo his deal but I don't believe he would sign elsewhere. I think he either signs a relatively low money short term deal in NE or he retires. Right now Hightower, Collins, and Freeney are the starters and if Mayo retires then they will need a starter to keep Freeney as depth and could use more young talent from this draft.

The secondary is young and good but could use a veteran corner imo. I like the young guys but think Coleman, Johnson, and Roberts are still a long ways from proven commodities so a proven veteran to push for a starting job and provide depth and insurance would be BC a good move.

Other than a little help at LB and CB their defense is pretty much set so they can use most of their resources this offseason on offense. I would also expect them to get at least 2 out of Hightower, Collins, and Jones to be re- signed this offseason.

2016/17 will be great. We already have two outstanding LBs, some young and exciting DT players (Brown and Easley), one of the best FS/SS tandem in the NFL, and three good DEs rotating. Our starting CBs have been inconsistent, but when they shine they shine bright. Butler and Ryan had some excellent games this season and with some more experience I think they could further elevate their game next year. For next season, we really just need to add quality depth players that could replace injured starters without too much drop-off in quality.

We are pretty good on defense. I would hope so based off how much we have invested through the draft. And for the most part it seems to be paying off.

I think our secondary is good enough. We could use a little depth where the CB's are concerned but w/Brown (I think) and Daryl Roberts returning we might have something.

I'd say we need to reinforce the LB group. Mayo is likely gone (?) and we can do better than the Jonathan Freeney's of the world when it comes to backing up Jamie and Hightower. For instance it was nice when he said someone solidmlike

TommyBrady12 said:

Another starting linebacker

Click to expand...

I'm thinking more just depth at the position. Seems like we mostly only implement two linebackers anymore anyways.

Depth at LB and FS (Harmon is going into his final year) in the draft.
I think Justin Coleman will make a serious year 2 leap and surprise a lot of people.
Maybe gamble on a lankier CB to keep the pipeline flowing.

Joey007 said:

I'm thinking more just depth at the position. Seems like we mostly only implement two linebackers anymore anyways.

Click to expand...

And yet we were caught with some fairly bad lineups at the position this year, anyway--simply due to injuries. If/when Mayo leaves as expected (not sure he's worth much at this point anyway), they'll have a serious top heavy LB corps, consisting of 2 players and no one worth a damn.

As much as everyone around here seems to automatically assume that both Collins/HT are definitely going to stay, that isn't even remotely close to being anywhere written in stone. It's also quite possible that Belichick will be starting to prepare himself for next year + the future, like we've seen a lot over the years. I would rank LB higher than most here.

Depth at LB, and maybe another CB and DE.

I think the defense is fine. Honestly only thing id like to see more next season is less vanilla/ bend but dont break, and more of an aggressive, dominating aproach.

we may not even really need to do much work at cornerback. Roberts flashed in pre-season, we have ryan, butler, coleman and tarell brown returning.

With a scary defensive line serviceable cornerbacks can do a good job, I think we have better than serviceable in the backfield and with another corner it should get even better, I'd keep investing in the front 7 to make it as nasty as it is possible to be.

We need a coverage linebacker to fill in for Collins and Hightower as needed. Might have to convert a safety or find one in the draft though...

Nonentity said:

We need a coverage linebacker to fill in for Collins and Hightower as needed. Might have to convert a safety or find one in the draft though...

Click to expand...

Why do you think a draftee is a better alternative than a veteran?

Does Jamie Collins have a brother?

Nonentity said:

We need a coverage linebacker to fill in for Collins and Hightower as needed. Might have to convert a safety or find one in the draft though...

Click to expand...

mgteich said:

Why do you think a draftee is a better alternative than a veteran?

Click to expand...

Not sure there's any free agents out there in the right price range. Obviously Rolando McClain would be a dream, but you can't spend that much money on a rotational linebacker - we spend too much time in nickel these days. Most of the affordable LBs are either getting old, or better against the run than the pass. I'm happy to be corrected if anyone can see any dark horses on that list!

Might be able to find better value in the later rounds of the draft - the typical late-round LB who doesn't quite have the size to play on running downs, but can still keep up in coverage. We know that the Patriots scout players based on how they could fit into the team, and the right draftee could fit that rotational coverage LB position quite well.

I was also thinking back to the Tank Williams experiment, moving a SS to LB. A veteran safety who's lost a bit of speed would still be more than quick enough to play coverage LB.