Intriguing Former Top 10 Pick Instant Depth on the Edge
The Patriots zigged while the rest of the world zagged. The talk of the social media world surrounding New England was that the Patriots would probably try to swing a deal for a running back. Bill Belichick and the Pats, however, swung a deal for the Cleveland Browns former #6 overall pick Barkevious Mingo. He’ll instantly upgrade the depth of the roster on the edge.
Besides having the coolest name in the NFL, Mingo much like Jabaal Sheard came into the NFL with the Browns after having been scouted by New England. And, like Sheard, after a good rookie season, he’s watched his production fall off the past two years.
Mingo, 6’4, 240-pounds came out of LSU in the 2013 NFL Draft and was thought to be one of the next big-name edge rushers. He notched five sacks in his rookie campaign, saw that fall to two in 2014 and got zero a year ago as he was relegated to mainly backup duty.
The Patriots signing Sheard a year ago was an under the radar signing that paid off big time for them. They’re obviously hoping that the signing of Mingo will be catching lightning in a bottle twice.
Sheard suffered an MCL sprain and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks after having an outstanding summer. Rob Ninkovich tore a triceps muscle and is expected to miss possibly the first month of the season. Shea McClellin has been on the shelf as well with an injury.
The team still has Chris Long, Trey Flowers, Geneo Grissom and Rufus Johnson in the meantime. Mingo gives them the versatility to either line up on the edge as a defensive end or blitz as an outside linebacker.
This is a really nice pickup by Belichick, who was still working out the compensation for the trade, but the addition of Mingo immediately adds more depth and versatility to the Patriots front seven.
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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)
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