you mean defensive needs as in DL. who do you see replacing Wilfork at DT??
I meant defensive needs. Brandon Browner (SS/CB), Wesley Woodhard (coverage LB, hybrid LB/S), DL, DT. Any of those.
Vince Wilfork from 2004-2012 was one of the greatest Patriots' defenders ever, and a unique athlete. He started as a 3-4 NT, and then evolved into much more, using his rare athleticism and football intelligence to become the focal point of the defense. Since Wilfork was drafted in 2004, I have seen only 2 players at his size range with his kind of rare athleticism, versatility and explosiveness: Haloti Ngata in 2006, and Dontari Poe in 2012. Guys like Wilfork don't come along very often, much less fall to the range where the Pats' pick.
As far as "replacing" him, no one will provide exactly what Wilfork c. 2004-2012 did. But, a couple of points to consider:
1. Wilfork in 2013 was a shadow of his former self, whether because he was already dinged up (likely), was beginning to decline, or both.
2. It is not at all clear that Wilfork can recover from his Achilles injury to anything near his 2004-2012 form. Age, weight, and family history of severe diabetes all are working against him. While Jason Peters did come back from his Achilles' injury, it's not a given that Wilfork will be able to plant and anchor effectively.
3. It's not clear with all the talent and athleticism on the defense that the Pats need a dominant NT like Wilfork c. 2004-2013.
4. It's not clear with the way the defense is evolving that a pure NT is the way to go.
With those things in mind, there are a number of options:
- Keep Kelly, Jones, Siliga, Armstead and Vellano as the DT group for now. They are young (except for Kelly) and should get better. Kelly was very effective last year before he got hurt. Siliga was developing nicely, and while he won't be Wilfork, as I've said, there aren't many Wilfork's out there.
- There are a number of good NT prospects in the draft, from day 1-2 (Louis Nix) to day 2 (Justin Ellis) to day 3 (Zach Kerr). None is probably Wilfork (see above), but all are talented prospects.
- I don't think there is a great NT option in FA, even if the Pats want to go that way. Paul Soliai was probable the best pure NT, and got more money from Atlanta than I would personally have paid. I wanted the Pats to go after Linval Joseph, who got around $6M/year - he would have been a good target if this situation had come to light a few days ago. BJ Raji has fallen off dramatically, and I'm not convinced that he would solve anything.
- If the Pats wanted to go to a more attacking defense, then Jason Hatcher or Henry Melton would be worth looking at, depending on the price.
I'm not convinced that the Pats have to do anything with DT in free agency. I'm personally ok with Kelly, Jones, Siliga, Armstead and Vellano going into the draft. I'd go after Aaron Donald, and then maybe try to get Zach Kerr day 3.
JMHO.
