DEFENSIVE TACKLE:
Alan Branch
Malcom Brown
Dominique Easley
Sealver Siliga
Akiem Hicks
Chris Jones* (PUP)
Grade and Outlook: This unit has really turned things up in the past month or so and is doing a much, much better job of stuffing the run and being stout at the point of attack. Branch is playing some of the best football of his Patriots career right now. He shot a gap and forced a fumble against Washington, something to watch for more of down the stretch.
Brown is adapting well to the NFL game and Easley is returning to health and showing that explosiveness he was known for in college. He’s been disruptive and making plays in the backfield. Hicks has flashed well in limited duty, the only downer has been the play of Siliga thus far. He was thought to be the rock of this unit and hasn’t played up to his potential in 2015.
Jones started the year on PUP and is practicing again; he’ll have a tough time breaking into this lineup right now. Grade: B-
DEFENSIVE END:
Chandler Jones
Rob Ninkovich
Jabaal Sheard
Geneo Grissom
Trey Flowers
Grade and Outlook: Jones leads the NFL with 9.5 sacks and is poised for a career season. Ninkovich is playing as solid as ever and is always coming up with either a big play or forcing the opposition into committing a penalty. Sheard who is injured and missed the past few weeks was actually playing better than either of them before going down with an ankle injury so the rotation the team was looking for this season is there.
Youngster’s Grissom and Flowers haven’t had the chance to show much yet, but as rookies that is expected. But when they’ve played both have flashed potential. This is a big area of strength moving forward…if Sheard returns soon.
They can always improve and show a bit more consistency in the pass rush, but in setting the edge this season, they’ve been outstanding. Grade B+
LINEBACKERS:
Jamie Collins
Donta Hightower
Jonathan Freeny
Jerod Mayo
Jon Bostic
Dane Fletcher* (PUP)
Grade and Outlook: Collins and Hightower have been arguably one of the better tandems in the NFL this season. Both have been outstanding and the scary part is, they’re only getting better. Freeny has been first in the rotation when they come off the field as Mayo has fallen far down the depth chart as he’s struggled to regain form after two serious injuries shortened his last two seasons.
Bostic was picked up for depth and has been a solid STs presence and has the experience to step up and play inside whenever needed. Fletcher started the season on PUP and has just begun practicing. Grade B+
CORNERBACK:
Malcolm Butler
Logan Ryan
Justin Coleman
Rashaan Melvin
Grade and outlook: This position is the thinnest on the roster and the Patriots can ill-afford an injury here, especially to either of the starters Butler or Ryan. This was the area of the roster that was supposed to struggle mightily after the loss of last season’s starting three of Revis, Browner and Arrington.
It hasn’t been perfect by any means and the Patriots haven’t faced many prolific passing offenses thus far but the play of the corners has to be encouraging. Playing much more man coverage than envisioned, they’ve been competitive and physical.
Butler has had his moments both good and bad in the first half of the season but with only eight games starting experience, it has to be considered a positive thus far. Ryan has had a renaissance at right corner and has played much better this season.
Coleman has surprised with solid play as the #3 corner and has made some nice plays as he gains valuable experience. Overall the unit continues to improve. Grade B-
SAFETY (6)
Devin McCourty
Patrick Chung
Duron Harmon
Jordan Richards
Nate Ebner
Tavon Wilson
Grade and outlook: The deepest position on the team and its strength in pass defense. McCourty, Chung and Harmon have been outstanding in 2015. The extra safety in the nickel and dime coverages have given the Patriots great versatility in being able to move pieces around to combat opponents’ strengths.
Richards is getting some experience and Ebner remains a valuable STs contributor. This unit has been the strength of the entire defense. Grade A-
Next up the Special Teams and overall team grade:
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
