Geneo Grissom:

Coming off a week eight victory over the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots got in the Halloween spirit on Wednesday.

Best social media postings from the New England Patriots first preseason game of 2018 versus the Washington Redskins

The wait is nearly over as the Patriots head into training camp tomorrow. NFL Football is back among us until February, and not a moment too soon. The Patriots offseason […]

Getting Hightower, Rivers, and Langi back is big. Hightower is a known commodity and he’s the Patriots best defender in the front seven. Rivers and Langi both flashed potential last season.

With some serious injuries to Derek Rivers and Julian Edelman, that will open up two spots that we had as locks. Ditto for the release of Kony Ealy.

The good news is that rookie edge player Deatrich Wise should be back to practice soon after the team returns from Houston.

But Ninkovich’s retirement leaves a void in experience, so who steps up in 2017 to fill the gap and provides the team with the pressure they’ll need?

Matthis is a Patriots kind of player. He’s versatile, can play standing up as an outside linebacker or with his hand in the dirt, and has good instincts

Guy’s most natural position is at the five-technique defensive end although he has the versatility to be a three-technique defensive tackle

Harris produced good numbers 61 tackles, including 12 for loss, 9 sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble.

He had a very good 2016 season winning the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Thomas led the team with 62 tackles, 15 for loss, with eight sacks.

Named first-team All-Conference-USA in 2015 – 2016. He had excellent production in his final campaign with 51 tackles, 15 for loss, 9.5 sacks.

He’s got very good explosiveness off the snap and shows good bend and flexibility when turning the corner. He changes direction very well.

As the 2017 NFL Draft draws closer we’ll profile some of the players that may be on the Patriots radar or that we feel would be a great fit.

The Patriots signed Sheard to a 2-year, $11 million-dollar contract with $5 million guaranteed including a $4 million bonus before the 2015 season.