Perry's Prototypical Patriots: Which EDGE defenders are best fits in New England?
One of the keys to boasting a strong defense at the NFL level is having a quality pass rush. That's something that the Patriots were lacking last year.In 2020, the Patriots were tied for 26th in the NFL in sacks with a mark of 24. Though they have invested in some edge rushers in previous years and are getting Dont'a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy back, they still need another pass rushing threat on the edge to help the defense reach its full potential.The 2021 NFL Draft class doesn't have a lot of top-tier edge rushers in it, but it does contain plenty of potential playmakers that could help the Patriots bolster their depth. And maybe they can find a potential starter of the future on the edge.Who are the best options? Phil Perry breaks down the players the Patriots should target.
The Patriots have loaded up on the edge this offseason. Loaded up.
Matt Judon was one of their most high-priced free-agent acquisitions to play the "Sam" outside linebacker role in Bill Belichick's 3-4 style defense. Kyle Van Noy returned and should return to the "Jack" outside linebacker role he filled back in 2019 on a full-time basis. Dont'a Hightower, who has the ability to play just about any linebacker role of Bill Belichick's choosing, is back after opting out of 2020.
Strong top of the depth chart.
Add to that a trio young players like Chase Winovich, Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings -- linebackers who can slide into more niche roles as they develop -- and there's some depth and versatility there as well.
So why would they ever be looking for edge defenders in the 2021 draft? Because good ones can be hard to find. It's why the best of the best are so highly-paid across the league.
While there might not be a marquee name on the edge at the very top of this year's class -- no Chase Young, no Myles Garrett -- there's a depth to the position that could be intriguing to Belichick as he looks to keep his defense well-stocked into the future.
If you go all the way back to the early portion of Belichick's tenure in New England when his preference was then, as it is now, a 3-4 style scheme, you can find certain characteristics that he looks for consistently. Whether it was Willie McGinest or Mike Vrabel, whether it was Tully Banta-Cain or Rob Ninkovich, whether it was Derek Rivers or Winovich or Jennings or Uche . . . there is a mold.
If you're looking at draft picks or players like Van Noy, Ninkovich and John Simon who were acquired as vets, Belichick is typically looking for guys at outside linebacker who are 6-foot-2 or taller, about 250 pounds, with 33-inch arms and almost 10-inch hands. If you come in under those marks (as Uche does at 6-1, 245), you better be a special athlete.
Belichick's best outside 'backers have tended to be explosive specimens. Their vertical jumps easily glide past 30 inches and their broad jumps coast past nine feet. Quickness helps, too. Most have had three-cone times hovering around the 7.00-second mark and shuttle times in the 4.10-second range.
Who checks those boxes -- or most -- in this year's class? Let's get to the Prototypes.
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 261 pounds
Hard to find a better fit for the "Sam" spot than Rhode Island's own Paye. His frame checks every box (33-inch arms, 10-inch hands), and he has no problems meeting the athletic requirements for the position at One Patriot Place (4.57-second 40, 35.5-inch vertical, 118-inch broad jump). He wasn't able to do agility drills after tweaking his quad during his pro day, but those numbers would have been elite.
Paye is a versatile player who has aligned in a variety of spots for the Wolverines -- a program Belichick clearly respects -- and he's a polished run-game player who will have no issue a) bull-rushing off the edge, which Belichick often wants from his pass-rushers against mobile passers and b) engaging in the twists and stunts Belichick so frequently calls.
Across positions, Paye is one of the top Patriots fits in this class and could be in the mix for them in the first round.
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 260 pounds
If Paye is close to a perfect fit for the Patriots, Phillips isn't that far off. Tremendous length (33-inch arms, 10-inch hands) and explosiveness (36-inch vertical, 125-inch broad), he also has the kind of change-of-direction ability for a man his size that is rare (4.18 shuttle, 7.13 three-cone) and led to him racking up eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season.
There is one concern with Phillips, though. He had several diagnosed concussions while playing for UCLA and was advised to retire by doctors there. He later transferred to Miami and ended up being their best defender. He's a first-round talent who may slip due to his medical history.
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 257 pounds
Oweh is the kind of athlete that makes you scratch your head and question the laws of physics. There's no way a human being his size should move as quickly as he does. He somehow clocked a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at Penn State's pro day to go along with a 6.9 three-cone drill and a couple of jaw-dropping jump (39.5-inch vertical, 134-inch broad). His hands are smaller than what the Patriots typically want (9 inches), but... who cares?
The bigger concern might be that Oweh didn't have a single sack in seven games in 2020, but scouts and coaches I've spoken to aren't concerned. He can play. And he's the kind of athlete who doesn't come around very often.
Oweh needs some seasoning before reaching his sky-high potential, but if the Patriots are comfortable giving him some time to develop, they could reap the rewards of having one of the most gifted pass-rushers in football in a few years.
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 259 pounds
Tryon isn't quite as quick as some of the other Prototypes here (7.18 three-cone drill, 4.36-second shuttle) but Simon (7.10-second three-cone, 4.42-second shuttle) was a quick enough athlete to be their top "Sam" 'backer for two years in New England.
And Belichick might be willing to make an exception based on Tryon's other features. His 34-inch arms and over 10-inch hands are what the Patriots want, as are his 35-inch vertical and 116-inch broad.
Tryon was only a one-year starter at Washington, and he opted out of the 2020 season, but in 2019 he had eight sacks and was a Second-Team All-Pac 12 honoree.
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 249 pounds
We've included Ojulari here for obvious reasons. When you play for Georgia, when you lead the SEC in sacks (8.5) and rack up four forced fumbles, you're going to get interest from the Patriots. His length (34-inch arms, 10.5-inch hands) is obvious. He's just not incredibly athletic compared to other Patriots outside linebackers of the past.
Ojulari's 4.61-second 40 was solid, and his 127-inch broad jump was better than solid. There's explosiveness there. But his 30-inch vertical and 7.27-second three-cone time were surprising.
Like Tryon and Phillips, Ojulari has experience in two and three-point stances, which the Patriots will appreciate, and Kirby Smart's defense has some similarities to New England's in how players align so Ojulari should be able to figure out the "Jack" role in Foxboro relatively quickly.
Whether or not he ends up in New England could come down to just how early the Patriots would be willing to pounce on a player who doesn't completely fit their mold athletically. He's likely going to end up being a first-rounder.
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 256 pounds
Ossai is another player with a couple of question marks hovering over his ability to change directions. He simply opted not to do agility tests at his pro day. When he did test, though? He was impressive.
His 41.5-inch vertical and 131-inch broad were eyebrow-raising figures. He also has 34-inch arms and 9.5-inch hands that should help him win on the edge at the next level.
And, oh yeah, he was productive for the Longhorns. He had 10 sacks and 30 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. The captain earned First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big 12 honors last season after showing evaluators he has the ability to be a high-effort "Jack" outside linebacker who can rush or cover after previously working as an off-the-ball player.
Long, versatile, athletic... If Ossai makes it to the second round, the Patriots could pounce.
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 270 pounds
How does a person with Turner's size (11-inch hands, 35-inch arms) not end up at a Power Five school? An injury late in his high school career likely hurt him in the recruiting process, but there's no missing that he's now an NFL-caliber athlete.
Turner's three-cone drill was off the charts for someone of his size (6.70 seconds), and his vertical indicated he has more than enough athleticism for the Patriots (36 inches). His frame and athletic profile actually isn't all that different from Chandler Jones' (6-5, 266, 35.5-inch arms, 7.07 three-cone, 35-inch vertical).
Turner was a team captain for Houston, he's played standing up and with his hand in the dirt, and he may be an impact player rushing from the interior in sub situations. Plus, he has experience on special teams.
He's a little heavier than most Patriots "Sam" or "Jack" 'backers, but Mike Vrabel was 270 pounds when he entered the league and worked out just fine at that spot. No question Turner belongs on this list.
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 253 pounds
Cooper won't be the biggest, fastest or strongest on this list. But he's a fine athlete (4.70-second 40, 33-inch vertical, 108-inch broad, 7.02 three-cone). And his football character is such that it'd come as no surprise if he were to be called by New England on draft weekend.
The two-time captain wore the block "O" jersey at Ohio State last year -- he took a medical redshirt in 2019 and came back for last season -- which is given to the player who "best exemplifies the toughness, accountability and fight that the people of Ohio share." His off-the-charts energy and leadership qualities land him here.
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 263 pounds
Length for days. Robinson's 11-inch hands and 35-inch arms make him built for the edge. His three-cone time isn't where the Patriots typically want it in their best outside linebackers (7.31 seconds), but he ran a strong enough 4.72-second 40 and his vertical (34 inches) and broad jump (121 inches) were really impressive for someone his size. His burst coming down the line on running backs and when closing ground on quarterbacks pops on tape.
And in nine games last season, Robinson put up three sacks, six hits and 16 hurries, per PFF. That helped him earn a trip to the Senior Bowl, where he went viral (at least on draft Twitter) for checking in with physical measurements like Jadeveon Clowney's.
Robinson is still relatively raw, but his length and explosiveness are hard to come by on Day 3.
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 260 pounds
Something about Florida State, I guess? They're sending a couple of long, strong edge defenders into this year's draft. Kaindoh is almost a mirror image of Robinson. He's not quite as long (34.5-inch arms, 9.5-inch hands), but he's every bit as athletic.
Kaindoh ran a 4.65-second 40 with a 36.5-inch vert and a 125-inch broad. He can get stuck on blocks every so often, but once he shakes free it takes him no time to accelerate to the ball-carrier. The former five-star recruit had just one sack in the last two seasons combined (11 games), but he has tools.
And tools in the fifth or sixth round? Tools can be worthy of a draft pick at that point.
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 242 pounds
Any chance Belichick sees some Van Noy in this Nittany Lion? Toney is a little light for the Patriots, but he's about the same size as Van Noy when Van Noy was leaving BYU (6-3, 243).
Toney is a little longer (33-inch arms), faster (4.52-second 40) and more explosive (39-inch vert, 128-inch broad). He also ran a better three-cone drill (7.00 seconds) than Van Noy did (7.22). He may be an exception, but he seems like the kind of exception Belichick would be willing to make so long as Toney can play in the high 240s. At the Senior Bowl, he checked in at 238. That's a concern.
Toney was a captain at Penn State and a First-Team All-Big 10 choice whose fanatical effort helped him rack up 11.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 252 pounds
Smith is a little leaner than Turner, but his length (34-inch arms, 10-inch hands) and ridiculous level of explosiveness (41.5-inch vertical, 127-inch broad) have to have teams intrigued. So too does his performance at this year's Senior Bowl.
Coming from a smaller program and having opted out of 2020, the 2019 First-Team All-American made the most of his time in Mobile, earning a top-five grade in pass-rush drills, per Pro Football Focus. He's not going to be the grittiest edge-setter in the locker room, but could Smith handle the kind of role Winovich did in 2019 as a pass-rush specialist? Sure.
A tight end in high school, Smith is athletic enough to potentially flip over to the other side of the ball, too. If anyone's willing to try that, it'd be Belichick, who tapped into Rashod Berry's tight end/edge versatility last season.
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 249 pounds
Koonce looks like another sub-rusher option for the Patriots given his build. But his speed off the edge and flexibility to get low and around defenders makes him seem like he could be a more impactful sub-rusher-only choice than, say, Perkins if there were a team to try Perkins there.
A foot injury didn't allow Koonce to test so it's hard to say for certain whether he checks every box, but his tape screams "athlete." Per PFF, he had 79 pressures on just 484 pass-rush snaps the last two seasons, including 15 sacks.
He may not be an edge-setter, but in the Rivers or Winovich mold -- a pass-rush specialist with enough juice to play in the kicking game -- Koonce looks like a Day 3 fit.
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 252 pounds
PFF lead draft analyst Mike Renner compares Bradley-King to former Patriots outside linebacker and special-teams contributor Shilique Calhoun (6-4, 251 coming out of Michigan State in 2016). Like it.
Both have similar arm lengths and hand sizes. Calhoun's three-cone drill was a tick quicker (6.97 versus 7.14 seconds), but Bradley-King's 40 was better (4.74 versus 4.82 seconds). Both jumped 35 inches in the vertical.
As a late-round option, Bradley-King has just enough athleticism and just enough savvy as a pass-rusher to potentially contribute defensively. But, like Calhoun, his best fit may be in the kicking game.
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 253 pounds
Perkins is a little stiff to be a fluid "Jack" outside linebacker, expected to run with backs out of the backfield at times. And he's not quite powerful enough to be a "Sam." Add to that a six-game suspension served for a failed drug test, and he's not the snuggest of fits on this list.
But the three-year starter for the Sooners does just barely reach most of the requirements we've laid out here in terms of height, weight and other measurements (33-inch arms, 4.71-second 40, 32-inch vertical, 115-inch broad).
The question is whether or not the Patriots will be willing to take a swing early enough to get Perkins, who's considered a second or third-rounder by many. That would surprise me.
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 259 pounds
Weaver was a First-Team All-ACC honoree after ripping off 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season. (And that coming off a torn ACL in 2019.) He also graduated majoring in both business information systems and finance. Then he went to the Senior Bowl and showed out.
Busy year. He's also the kind of explosive big body that Belichick will appreciate.
Weaver's 4.86-second 40 is slow when compared to most outside 'backers who've succeeded with the Patriots, but he had a 1.59-second 10-yard split, per Brugler, that puts him in the 88th percentile for edge defenders. He also had a very quick 6.98-second three-cone drill and adequate vertical (33 inches) and broad jumps (114 inches). PFF calls him "arguably the best run-defending edge in the draft."
As a "Sam" linebacker on the edge, his power and length (3.5-inch arms, 10-inch hands), make him a solid fit for New England on Day 2. Weaver may be more of a 4-3 end than a 3-4 outside linebacker. But he has enough in the way of traits and polished skills that the Patriots may feel as though they can get him to adapt to their scheme.
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 269 pounds
Coming out of Ohio State back in the day, not as a Belichick draft choice, Vrabel was 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds. Golston measured taller, longer (35-inch arms), more explosive (36-inch vert, 19-inch broad) and a little quicker (7.47-second three cone); Vrabel's cone was a glacial 7.77 seconds.
Does that alone make Golston a Prototype for the edge in Foxboro? No. Vrabel was an exception. Golston is, too. He simply looks a little too big and not always quick enough to fit with many of these other prospects as a "Sam" 'backer. (Though he flashes quickness on his tape that would appear to be more than enough for the Patriots.)
But Golston was a captain for Belichick's pal in the coaching ranks Kirk Ferentz, who called Golston "an absolute delight," according to the Athletic's Dane Brugler. Plus, Golston's non-stop hustle helped him produce for the Hawkeyes, finishing last season with seven sacks, six quarterback hits and 22 hurries in 487 snaps, per PFF.
