{"id":58235,"date":"2025-02-12T16:33:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T21:33:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=58235"},"modified":"2025-02-13T10:28:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T15:28:13","slug":"morse-patriots-off-season-review-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2025\/02\/12\/morse-patriots-off-season-review-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Patriots Offseason Review – Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Offseason Review – DEFENSE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In order to move forward, we need to look back on the 2024 team and identify the weaknesses.\u00a0 There are many needs and there is probably not a position that doesn\u2019t require upgrading.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the Defense. The Defense under Demarcus Covington took a huge step backwards in 2024.\u00a0 Their Defense Value adjusted Over Average (DVOA) in 2023 was 9th<\/sup>, 3rd<\/sup> against the run and 15th<\/sup> against the pass.\u00a0 In 2024 it dropped to 29th<\/sup>. \u00a0\u00a0Yes, the team was beset with injuries to Christian Barmore (Blood Clots) and JuWhaun Bentley early in the season.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jabrill Peppers was suspended because of a Domestic Abuse allegation and subsequent Hamstring injury.\u00a0 It appears they never replaced Lawrence Guy\u2019s stoutness on the Defensive Line.\u00a0 They signed Armon Watts in the off-season as a Free Agent and he didn\u2019t even make the team.\u00a0 The pass rush was non-existent once the team traded Matt Judon in the pre-season because they couldn\u2019t reach a contract extension and Judon became a distraction.<\/p>\n

EDGE <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Anfernee Jennings continued his progress from 2023 as a strong presence on the edge against the rush.\u00a0 However, he only had 2.5 sacks.\u00a0 Keion White led the team with 5 sacks,4 of those 5 sacks came in the first two weeks.\u00a0 Most of his sacks came from the DT position, He was very weak against the run, which he self-admitted.\u00a0 White has indicated through the media that he is thinking about his future and not sure he wants to be here.\u00a0 He cites the coaching and how he is being used.\u00a0 Let\u2019s talk about facts and the number of times that he blows past the QB, losing containment and allowing a big escape by the QB.\u00a0 That\u2019s not being a team player and only looking to pad his stats for his next contract.\u00a0 This is another Bill Belichick the GM mistake, a player without a position.\u00a0 He can\u2019t play the edge or linebacker because he doesn\u2019t have the speed.\u00a0 He is not stout enough against the run to play DT.\u00a0 He looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane and has no secondary pass rush move.\u00a0 Can new head Coach Mike Vrabel bring out the beast in Keion White?<\/p>\n

Defensive Down Lineman <\/strong><\/h3>\n

On the DL, Davon Godchaux had another stellar season.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t pile up the stats but still managed 67 tackles which was tops on the D-Line.\u00a0 Godchaux started and played in all 17 games again this year.\u00a0 When his number is called, he plays his butt off.\u00a0 However, he is on the other side of 30, and we can\u2019t expect that again.\u00a0 With the new Defense I think we will see 4 down linemen and it will be interesting to see how Godchaux will be utilized.\u00a0 Jaquelin Roy was added after the cutdown day and played in just 6 games.\u00a0 He showed some flashes.\u00a0 Jeremiah Pharms played in 16 games and had 33 tackles.\u00a0 The Patriots thought enough of the 28-year-old ERFA that they signed him to a 2-year extension this week.\u00a0 Daniel Ekuale (UFA) probably won\u2019t be back next season. \u00a0He had 52 tackles and just 1 sack in 16 games. \u00a0Deatrich Wise has come to the end of the road.\u00a0 The Veteran dropped off significantly and was ineffective as a pass rusher and not stout enough against the run.\u00a0 He should not be back with the team.\u00a0 Wise had less tackles than Pharms.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Dec<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cornerback<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On the plus side Christian Gonzalez faced the iron of the leagues wide receivers and had a very good season.\u00a0 He was honored with a 2nd<\/sup> team All-Pro recognition.\u00a0 I felt that he should have been selected 1st<\/sup> team over Darryl Stingley Jr. who got beat deep by Kayshon Boutte and rookie Drake Maye for a 40-yard bomb.\u00a0 It was Maye\u2019s 1st<\/sup> game as a Pro.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gonzalez never gave up a big play like that despite all the talent he had to play against week in and week out.<\/p>\n

Jon Jones (UFA) had a good but not great season.\u00a0 The 31-year-old DB was second amongst the CBs in tackles with Marcus Jones right behind.\u00a0 Marcus missed 3 games.\u00a0 He was the leading Punt Returner in the league until he missed the last three games.\u00a0 Alex Austin (ERFA) dressed for 9 games and looked good in the last three games of the season.\u00a0 Isaiah Bolden made an impact on Special Teams.<\/p>\n

Safeties<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Several players regressed and others didn\u2019t improve.\u00a0 The first player on my list is Kyle Dugger.\u00a0 He re-signed a second contract as a Free Agent with the Patriots for $$$.\u00a0\u00a0 The Patriots never recognized that Dugger can\u2019t play Safety.\u00a0 He has very poor instincts for pass coverage and is not fast enough to play Free Safety.\u00a0 Dugger has not lived up to the contract he signed.\u00a0 I also blame DeMarcus Covington and Safeties Coach Steve Belichick for not identifying his weakness and correcting the problem.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 In Dugger\u2019s defense he played hurt most of the season and should have been put on IR.\u00a0 He tried to gut it out but really hurt the team.\u00a0 They were actually better with him not in the lineup.\u00a0 If the Patriots decide to keep Dugger, they should move him LB.<\/p>\n

Jabril Peppers was steady when he was able to play.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 He played in only 6 games in 2024 due to injury and suspension.<\/p>\n

Marte Mapu was very mediocre this year when available to play.\u00a0 I believe he is playing out of position. \u00a0Mapu should be moved to Linebacker. \u00a0On the plus side was the play of Dell Pettus the rookie Undrafted Free Agent out of Troy.\u00a0 His PFF rating of 73.9 was the highest of any Undrafted player and 26th<\/sup> amongst all Safeties. \u00a0\u00a0He was the beneficiary of Peppers being suspended and Dugger\u2019s injury. \u00a0Pettus does not have the speed to play Free Safety.\u00a0 Jaylinn Hawkins was not effective and should not be resigned for 2025.<\/p>\n

Moving both Mapu and Dugger to linebacker fits the philosophy of both Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams.\u00a0 They like the sideline-to-sideline, light and quick linebackers.\u00a0 Dugger is 6\u20192\u201d 220-pounds.\u00a0 Mapu is 6\u20193\u201d 230-pounds.\u00a0 When Mapu was drafted he was listed as a Linebacker in the Patriots press release.<\/p>\n

Linebackers <\/strong><\/h3>\n

It was mixed bag for the Linebackers after Bentley went down.\u00a0 Jahlani Tavai tried to pick up the slack once Bentley went down.\u00a0 Perhaps he was being asked to play a position that he isn\u2019t qualified to play.\u00a0 Tavai did lead the team in tackles with 115.\u00a0 Sione Takitaki missed 7 games and was ineffective. \u00a0Raekwon McMillan was let go mid-season.\u00a0 They have a big hole to fill at LB.\u00a0 Tavai also had some inappropriate words about the fans late in the season.\u00a0 I believe he is the target of Coach Mike Vrabel\u2019s comments about removing entitlement from the players.\u00a0 Christian Ellis (RFA) was third on the team in tackles with 80.\u00a0 He was outstanding on Special Teams as well and should be resigned.<\/p>\n

Free Agents<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Re-Sign\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Let Go<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jon Jones\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dan Ekuale<\/p>\n

Christian Ellis\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Detrich Wise<\/p>\n

Alex Austin\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Oshane Ximenes<\/p>\n

Jaylinn Hawkins<\/p>\n

Draft Priority<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I need to preface this by stating that I think the Patriots must address their Offensive Line woes in Free Agency.\u00a0 This an excellent draft for Defensive Lineman and Safeties, two positions of need for the Patriots.\u00a0 I would prioritize getting a pass rusher on Day one either by taking one at #4 or trading back and taking one.\u00a0 With the 2nd<\/sup> pick I would look at strengthening the interior Defensive line.\u00a0 The Patriots need a true Free Safety with make up speed.\u00a0 With two 3rd<\/sup> round selections, I think that is where we might see a Safety taken.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In order to move forward, we need to look back on the 2024 team and identify the weaknesses.\u00a0 There are many needs and there is probably not a position that doesn\u2019t require upgrading.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":55337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_pfeai_meta_description":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: Patriots Offseason Review - Defense<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In order to move forward, we need to look back on the 2024 team and identify the weaknesses.\u00a0 There are many needs and there is probably not a position that doesn\u2019t require upgrading.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2025\/02\/12\/morse-patriots-off-season-review-defense\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MORSE: Patriots Offseason Review - 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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 \u201cHarpo\u201d Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. 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