Vrabel Defensive Scheme and Team Needs

[mayoclinic]

I think we've all identified S, LB, EDGE, and CB depth as 2026 needs for upgrades. But exactly what kind of players best fit the Vrabel/Austin defensive approach?

PP2 mentioned this in the Pats-Browns post-game thread:

After Further Review: Breaking Down Patriots QB Drake Maye, LT Will Campbell and the Run Defense in Win Over Browns

Great analysis by Lazar, but this is the part I thought deserved a separate discussion:

On Sunday, the Patriots became the first defense to go eight games without allowing a 50-plus yard rusher since 1950, holding Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins to 19 yards on nine attempts. As a team, Cleveland only had a 29% success rate on the ground (22nd percentile), with a 31-yard jet sweep propping up their averages. Heading into Week 8, Judkins ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards after contact (420) and had produced 21 forced missed tackles (tied for eighth among RBs). By taking out the run game, rookie QB Dillon Gabriel was forced to drop back 37 times, which wasn't a winning formula for Cleveland.

Schematically, the fun part is how the Patriots are fitting the run in their new system under head coach Mike Vrabel. New England used to run a two-gapping system that prioritized setting or "boxing" the edges, meaning the edge defenders funneled the ball back inside to the run-stuffers. The old mantra was "no edge, no chance."

Under Vrabel, the Patriots have different front mechanics, where they want to "spill" the ball to the outside rather than force it back inside. New England often uses "lever-spill-lever" run fits. In these schemes, the edges actually crash down inside, as does the play-side linebacker to "splatter" the second puller, while the safety is the "force" who sets the edge of the defense, allowing the MIKE to fly free to the ball carrier.

In this example, the Browns are running GF counter with two pullers. So, edge-rusher Anfernee Jennings crashes down to the first puller, LB Jack Gibbens splatters the second puller, and S Jaylinn Hawkins is the force setting the edge, which allows LB Robert Spillane to overlap and pace out the runner for a two-yard loss. By keeping Spillane clean, he can read-and-react to the ball carrier, which is the Pats captain's specialty.

Along with the 50-plus yard rusher stat, the Patriots defense ranks fifth in rush EPA and sixth in rush success rate (pending MNF). The results from their new run defense have been fantastic, while the attacking mindset has led to more negative runs than their old "build a wall" mentality in a two-gapping system. In the first eight weeks, the Patriots run defense has been a thing of beauty with the stats to back it up.

This is beautiful stuff.

My question is, what kind of players fit best into this approach, especially specific 2026 prospects?

For example, it seems like the safeties may be used as edge setters when the LBs crash down inside. We've been focusing on guys with deep coverage skills. I'm even more in favor now of guys like Zakee Wheatley and Jelani McDonald who have the versatility to play both roles.

 

[manxman2601]

That does make Thieneman more unlikely. Wheatley was the first name that sprung to mind.

Taaffe because he's smart, versatile, disciplined and the 2nd best run defending safety in CFB.

Keionte Scott, although not a safety would certainly fit this role. He's a 6-0, 195lb NCB so perhaps a little undersized but I still like him for that role specifically. Might be scheme dependent though. you might not want to use him against a team that relies on a TE for offensive production.

Isaac Smith of Miss St. might warrant more attention as he's 6-2, 220 so a good size for setting the edge.

There is one name we haven't discussed. Re-sign Hawkins. He obviously fits what Vrabel wants to do. Maybe continuity is the better way to go.

 

[mayoclinic]

Even if Hawkins is re-signed, I think he can be upgraded.

Woodson-Wheatley/McDonald-Hawkins-Saunders not a bad group.

Woodson-Hawkins-Taaffe-Saunders a cheaper option, but good depth.

Agree, not sure Thieneman is as good a fit, but need to study him more.

That Downs kid might be OK, too.

 

[Clonamery]

That does make Thieneman more unlikely. Wheatley was the first name that sprung to mind.

Taaffe because he's smart, versatile, disciplined and the 2nd best run defending safety in CFB.

Keionte Scott, although not a safety would certainly fit this role. He's a 6-0, 195lb NCB so perhaps a little undersized but I still like him for that role specifically. Might be scheme dependent though. you might not want to use him against a team that relies on a TE for offensive production.

Isaac Smith of Miss St. might warrant more attention as he's 6-2, 220 so a good size for setting the edge.

There is one name we haven't discussed. Re-sign Hawkins. He obviously fits what Vrabel wants to do. Maybe continuity is the better way to go.

Hawkins is ranked pretty high thus far in coverage (PFF 8th) and overall (7th).

 

[manxman2601]

Hawkins is ranked pretty high thus far in coverage (PFF 8th) and overall (7th).

He's a good versatile safety who I don't think would command too much on the open market so perhaps re-upping him makes sense. We'd still be in the position of needing a third safety for depth so it doesn't rule out drafting anyone.

 

[stelfans]

Very interesting stuff.
They like versatility. Not a FS, not a SS but someone that can do both things even if that means compromising one of them. More than anything i think they are looking for good tacklers.

I think McNeil-Warren and his 8 forced fumbles in the last 3 years might be another name to have in mind.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think Saunders also seems like a good fit for this approach. Pencilling him as #4 S for now.

For EDGE and LB, does this change how we think about prospects?

For EDGE, if we are using them to crash down and disrupt the middle, David Bailey has to jump to the top of my list.

 

[signbabybrady]

Very interesting stuff.
They like versatility. Not a FS, not a SS but someone that can do both things even if that means compromising one of them. More than anything i think they are looking for good tacklers.

I think McNeil-Warren and his 8 forced fumbles in the last 3 years might be another name to have in mind.

Early on Bill liked both a FS and SS.

Towards the end I think he preferred they be more redundant so things could be disguised. But his preference was more towards SS.

I think Vrabel seems to like that redundancy and versatility but seems to favor more of a FS type who can do both. Probably has more to do with today's passing game than a system preference but it's something that stood out to me (or maybe I'm reading too much into dumping Peppers and Dugger and maybe they just aren't the same players they once were).

 

[manxman2601]

I think Saunders also seems like a good fit for this approach. Pencilling him as #4 S for now.

For EDGE and LB, does this change how we think about prospects?

For EDGE, if we are using them to crash down and disrupt the middle, David Bailey has to jump to the top of my list.

Anyone with an electric get off. It makes the pure OLB/ speed rusher types like Height, Howell and Lubin less likely.

As for linebacker, you're looking for someone who can take on a puller for the play side 'backer so that probably rules out someone undersized whereas for the MIKE, someone with the speed to get to the edge.

The obvious names for me there would be Styles and Golday as the force players and Hill as a MIKE. Drayk Bowen of Notre Dame would be a good MIKE too.

I suppose the thing this makes me think about is that we're a run defense defense first and then rely on our 3 top level CBs to protect ourselves against the pass, forcing opposing QBs to try and beat us. However, aside from Allen, we haven't gone up against an elite QB yet so it's a defense still to be tested. I suppose Rodgers counts still as an elite QB on his day.

 

[signbabybrady]

I suppose the thing this makes me think about is that we're a run defense defense first and then rely on our 3 top level CBs to protect ourselves against the pass, forcing opposing QBs to try and beat us. However, aside from Allen, we haven't gone up against an elite QB yet so it's a defense still to be tested. I suppose Rodgers counts still as an elite QB on his day.

Oddly I would think they'd play more man given this premise but by my eyes we seem to be playing way more zone. What's up with that?

 

[manxman2601]

"

Oddly I would think they'd play more man given this premise but by my eyes we seem to be playing way more zone. What's up with that?

I think Vrabel was disappointed in how we played man earlier in the year. I think I saw something to that effect on X. Maybe that changes with Jones playing so well and Gonzo coming back to form.

According to this chart, we're in man 29% of the time which is top half. We're almost 50-50 as to whether we're playing single high or two high.

NFL Secondary Statistics: Coverage Scheme Stats & Rates

Explore 2025 NFL coverage scheme data. See which defenses rely on man or zone coverage with our team-by-team percentage breakdown.

www.sharpfootballanalysis.com

 

[manxman2601]

I saw this on Drayk Bowen's (Notre Dame LB) scouting report which would suggest he's good for that play side 'backer role taking on pullers.

"Shows exceptional processing speed against the run, consistently taking proper angles and triggering downhill before offensive linemen can climb to the second level."

"Demonstrates impressive stack-and-shed ability against tight ends and fullbacks, maintaining vision on the ball while violently disengaging to make plays."

"When flowing downhill, Bowen's instincts and closing burst make him a destructive force,"

"Defensive schemes emphasizing aggressive linebacker play will benefit most from Bowen's skill set, particularly those using him as a blitzer or run-stuffer "

Drayk Bowen Linebacker Notre Dame | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 79.9 Rank: #22 Forty: 4.62 When flowing downhill, Bowen's instincts and closing burst make him a destructive force, though his occasional overpursuit leaves him vulnerable against mi...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Another good man CB for depth would definitely fit well.

How does Akeem Mesidor fit with this, Manx? Does he have enough burst, or is ge more of a pure power rusher?

 

[mayoclinic]

Outside of David Bailey, who will likely be long gone, I see signing Jaelen Phillips in FA or trading for Kayvon Thibodeaux as the best options for adding an EDGE rusher with burst and athleticism. Drafting Quincy Rhodes probable option #4 if the other 3 don't pan out.

 

[stelfans]

Still holding up for Swinson. And Caleb Murphy might turn into something, who knows?

 

[manxman2601]

Another good man CB for depth would definitely fit well.

How does Akeem Mesidor fit with this, Manx? Does he have enough burst, or is ge more of a pure power rusher?

The way I read it, crashing inside is the opposite of a speed rusher. you want someone with power in that situation because you're engaging with the blocker, not trying to beat him to the outside. So yes, Mesidor absolutely fits.

From his scouting report

• "Explosive first step allows him to consistently penetrate the backfield"

 

[manxman2601]

Is this what we're looking for from an edge? come on, you've got to be impressed in how I've turned this thread into a Mesidor one



And the 2nd play on this one

 

[mayoclinic]

You can turn any thread into a Mesidor one.

 

[manxman2601]

You can turn any thread into a Mesidor one.

I'm looking forward to the SB thread where after winning 42-10, I can post "they wouldn't have got the 10 if we had Mesidor!"

 

[mayoclinic]

Undoubtedly true.