Not sure where you got the 320lbs from but Mathis weighed 310 at the combine and 311 at his Pro-Day.
Mathis is also an "older" prospect at over 24 years old because he got his Bachelor's in 2020 and his Master's this year. He seems similarly built to Godchaux more so than a Vince Wilfork or Keith Traylor. He's more of an UT/3-4DE than a NT. And everyone is looking at Davis and Jones as Legitimate NTs to put next to Barmore.
I could care less about him being 24. That’s draft chatter nonsense, and you know players often slim down during the draft process to improve their athletic numbers. Mathis was listed at 320 in two draft publications I purchased. He can play at 320, 315 or 310 and be an effective 3 down player who actually fits the Patriots defense of 2022.
“Everyone” might not be looking at Davis and Jones to be another Wilfork or Traylor. Belichick signed Godcheaux last off season. He’s still on the roster and scheduled to make $7.5 million, Do you think Belichick didn’t know what he was getting and has in Godcheaux? Maybe, Bill wants Godcheaux types rather than Traylor types? Have you considered that?
The Pats were pretty good against the run in short yardage and goal line last season which was a big improvement from 2020. Their problem is not defending the run out of their base defense or a heavy alignment. Their problem is they can’t adequately play the run in their nickel alignments which they must play a majority of the time even on early downs to defend against the pass.
Where does a NT fit in their 2-4-5 nickel?
Belichick and the defensive coaches have this covered. It’s why they changed to a primarily zone coverage team on 1st and 2nd down last season and will continue to do so this season. Playing zone allows them to bring an 8th defender closer to the LOS giving them the numbers advantage to defend the run without exposing them to a greater risk of long pass plays because one of the corners or both will fall back to a deep zone depending on whether they’re running a cover 2 or 3. It was a great idea by Belichick and it made last season interesting and resulted in a playoff berth.
Barmore, Judon, Godcheaux and, say, Trey Flowers will generate enough pass rush to make it effective. It worked last season until Barmore and Judon (probably) were injured and teams started to unmercifully exploit Hightower’s and Van Noy’s lack of speed resulting in some big plays. Now, you replace them with faster guys like McMillan, Mac Wilson and Josh Uche. Ronnie Perkins or Anfernee Jennings provides some quality depth behind Judon, and Ekuale, Cowart or a draftee can backup Barmore. The Patriots defense will be better in 2022 and a legit top 5 defense if…….
The missing piece is a corner good enough to man up against an opponent’s 2nd option allowing a double team on the 1st option when they want to or have to play man coverage.
That’s how I prefer the Patriots use their 1st rounder rather than draft an upgrade to the role Carl Davis played last season. That role can be filled later in the draft, or they could resign Davis or Danny Shelton or Eddie Goldman.
If they draft Davis or Jones high, they better be able to line up over a guard, threaten the pocket, and play 60% of the snaps. Or, you’ve wasted a lot of draft value.
