Offseason Review – DEFENSE
In order to move forward, we need to look back on the 2024 team and identify the weaknesses. There are many needs and there is probably not a position that doesn’t require upgrading.
Let’s start with the Defense. The Defense under Demarcus Covington took a huge step backwards in 2024. Their Defense Value adjusted Over Average (DVOA) in 2023 was 9th, 3rd against the run and 15th against the pass. In 2024 it dropped to 29th. Yes, the team was beset with injuries to Christian Barmore (Blood Clots) and JuWhaun Bentley early in the season. Jabrill Peppers was suspended because of a Domestic Abuse allegation and subsequent Hamstring injury. It appears they never replaced Lawrence Guy’s stoutness on the Defensive Line. They signed Armon Watts in the off-season as a Free Agent and he didn’t even make the team. The pass rush was non-existent once the team traded Matt Judon in the pre-season because they couldn’t reach a contract extension and Judon became a distraction.
EDGE
Anfernee Jennings continued his progress from 2023 as a strong presence on the edge against the rush. However, he only had 2.5 sacks. Keion White led the team with 5 sacks,4 of those 5 sacks came in the first two weeks. Most of his sacks came from the DT position, He was very weak against the run, which he self-admitted. White has indicated through the media that he is thinking about his future and not sure he wants to be here. He cites the coaching and how he is being used. Let’s talk about facts and the number of times that he blows past the QB, losing containment and allowing a big escape by the QB. That’s not being a team player and only looking to pad his stats for his next contract. This is another Bill Belichick the GM mistake, a player without a position. He can’t play the edge or linebacker because he doesn’t have the speed. He is not stout enough against the run to play DT. He looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane and has no secondary pass rush move. Can new head Coach Mike Vrabel bring out the beast in Keion White?
Defensive Down Lineman
On the DL, Davon Godchaux had another stellar season. He doesn’t pile up the stats but still managed 67 tackles which was tops on the D-Line. Godchaux started and played in all 17 games again this year. When his number is called, he plays his butt off. However, he is on the other side of 30, and we can’t expect that again. With the new Defense I think we will see 4 down linemen and it will be interesting to see how Godchaux will be utilized. Jaquelin Roy was added after the cutdown day and played in just 6 games. He showed some flashes. Jeremiah Pharms played in 16 games and had 33 tackles. The Patriots thought enough of the 28-year-old ERFA that they signed him to a 2-year extension this week. Daniel Ekuale (UFA) probably won’t be back next season. He had 52 tackles and just 1 sack in 16 games. Deatrich Wise has come to the end of the road. The Veteran dropped off significantly and was ineffective as a pass rusher and not stout enough against the run. He should not be back with the team. Wise had less tackles than Pharms.
Cornerback
On the plus side Christian Gonzalez faced the iron of the leagues wide receivers and had a very good season. He was honored with a 2nd team All-Pro recognition. I felt that he should have been selected 1st team over Darryl Stingley Jr. who got beat deep by Kayshon Boutte and rookie Drake Maye for a 40-yard bomb. It was Maye’s 1st game as a Pro. Gonzalez never gave up a big play like that despite all the talent he had to play against week in and week out.
Jon Jones (UFA) had a good but not great season. The 31-year-old DB was second amongst the CBs in tackles with Marcus Jones right behind. Marcus missed 3 games. He was the leading Punt Returner in the league until he missed the last three games. Alex Austin (ERFA) dressed for 9 games and looked good in the last three games of the season. Isaiah Bolden made an impact on Special Teams.
Safeties
Several players regressed and others didn’t improve. The first player on my list is Kyle Dugger. He re-signed a second contract as a Free Agent with the Patriots for $$$. The Patriots never recognized that Dugger can’t play Safety. He has very poor instincts for pass coverage and is not fast enough to play Free Safety. Dugger has not lived up to the contract he signed. I also blame DeMarcus Covington and Safeties Coach Steve Belichick for not identifying his weakness and correcting the problem. Blame also needs to be directed at Eliot Wolf for not identifying the need at Free Safety and going out and getting a Free Agent or Draft Pick to plug the need. In Dugger’s defense he played hurt most of the season and should have been put on IR. He tried to gut it out but really hurt the team. They were actually better with him not in the lineup. If the Patriots decide to keep Dugger, they should move him LB.
Jabril Peppers was steady when he was able to play. He has been cleared of the Domestic Violence charges, but the fact that woman made these allegations against Peppers cost him 7 weeks of playing time on the Commissioners Exempt List. He played in only 6 games in 2024 due to injury and suspension.
Marte Mapu was very mediocre this year when available to play. I believe he is playing out of position. Mapu should be moved to Linebacker. On the plus side was the play of Dell Pettus the rookie Undrafted Free Agent out of Troy. His PFF rating of 73.9 was the highest of any Undrafted player and 26th amongst all Safeties. He was the beneficiary of Peppers being suspended and Dugger’s injury. Pettus does not have the speed to play Free Safety. Jaylinn Hawkins was not effective and should not be resigned for 2025.
Moving both Mapu and Dugger to linebacker fits the philosophy of both Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams. They like the sideline-to-sideline, light and quick linebackers. Dugger is 6’2” 220-pounds. Mapu is 6’3” 230-pounds. When Mapu was drafted he was listed as a Linebacker in the Patriots press release.
Linebackers
It was mixed bag for the Linebackers after Bentley went down. Jahlani Tavai tried to pick up the slack once Bentley went down. Perhaps he was being asked to play a position that he isn’t qualified to play. Tavai did lead the team in tackles with 115. Sione Takitaki missed 7 games and was ineffective. Raekwon McMillan was let go mid-season. They have a big hole to fill at LB. Tavai also had some inappropriate words about the fans late in the season. I believe he is the target of Coach Mike Vrabel’s comments about removing entitlement from the players. Christian Ellis (RFA) was third on the team in tackles with 80. He was outstanding on Special Teams as well and should be resigned.
Free Agents
Re-Sign Let Go
Jon Jones Dan Ekuale
Christian Ellis Detrich Wise
Alex Austin Oshane Ximenes
Jaylinn Hawkins
Draft Priority
I need to preface this by stating that I think the Patriots must address their Offensive Line woes in Free Agency. This an excellent draft for Defensive Lineman and Safeties, two positions of need for the Patriots. I would prioritize getting a pass rusher on Day one either by taking one at #4 or trading back and taking one. With the 2nd pick I would look at strengthening the interior Defensive line. The Patriots need a true Free Safety with make up speed. With two 3rd round selections, I think that is where we might see a Safety taken.
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Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.
Michigan DT Mason Graham at #4. Will not get this DT generational talent if you trade back.