Thoughts on the defense through 4 practices

FOXBOROUGH — Continuing to quickly take stock of where the Patriots are after four practices and through their first off day, which was Monday.

It’s a little early to have a reasonable take on a 53-man roster, but I’m going to go through each position in what I perceive the pecking order to be, and offer a quickie comment on each player (if I can; some of the guys I haven’t see that much of).

We did offense on Monday. Here is the defense.

Here we go:

Edge players

Trey Flowers: Hasn’t exactly picked up where he left off last year but still the best the Patriots have by a wide margin. (1-2-2 in one-on-ones)

Deatrich Wise: Really opening eyes with his flashes of good play. Inconsistent but bigger and quicker than advertised. (3-4-0)

Geneo Grissom: Looks like Tarzan with an impressive physique. The question is, will he play like that in the games, or will he be the proverbial “Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane” guy in NFL-speak? (1-1-1)

Kony Ealy: Got off to a really rough start but is far from a lost cause. Will be interesting to see how he comes back after an off day, which is when players recalibrate. (1-3-1)

Derek Rivers: Looks really skinny and not ready to play at this level. Other players have started out like that and contributed. Still a freak athlete, and you can’t count those guys out.

Caleb Kidder: Looks like he just got here, which he did. (0-2-2)

Interior linemen

Lawrence Guy: One of the best newcomers. Just like on film, he knows how to stay off blocks and get penetration when needed. (2-2)

Alan Branch: Injured.

Malcolm Brown: He’s just been OK to this point, which is his M.O. He’s just real solid and consistent. Would like to see him show flashes of dominating this season. (2-1-1)

Darius Kilgo: Seems like every time there’s a play being made, I look down at my roster and it’s Kilgo. Rising fast. (4-1-0)

Vincent Valentine: Gets after it a little bit. Active. I’m a fan. (1-2-0)

Woodrow Hamilton: Nothing really pops with him. (0-2-3)

Adam Butler: Has flashed at times. Good strength (3-2)

Josh Augusta: Competitive. Good try-hard guy at this point with room to grow. (1-1-2)

Linebackers

Dont’a Hightower: Injured.

David Harris: Took about two days for him to get the green dot on his helmet. He may not be the biggest signing, but he could be most crucial because of the flexibility it gives the coaches for other players.

Shea McClellin: Another green dot guy. Has been all over the place all the way down to edge rusher. His strength is his versatility.

Kyle Van Noy: The Patriots aren’t sure where to play him, and not sure that’s a good thing for Van Noy.

Elandon Roberts: The hot name at one point last year has fallen to third team. Still makes plays. Can’t discount that.

Jonathan Freeny: Big and slow. Harris’ arrival makes it tough for Freeny to stick in my opinion.

Harvey Langi: Another guy that has shown up on the edge as well. Appears the Patriots like him because they are giving him much to handle.

Trevor Bates: Not sure what it is about him, but I like him. Steady, smart.

Brooks Ellis: Incomplete.

Cornerbacks

Malcolm Butler: Complete stud all over the field, although he does seem to be keeping to himself a lot more this season. Doubt it will be a problem.

Stephon Gilmore: To be honest, he really hasn’t popped that much. But that’s who he is: steady and boring.

Jonathan Jones: Will have to bring it every day to fend off the likes of Eric Rowe for third corner.

Eric Rowe: Making plays all over the field. Has much more confidence with the system now.

Cyrus Jones: I think he’s covered well, for the most part, this camp. Just needs that consistency to make his mark.

Justin Coleman: Solid. A good guy to have around.

Kenny Moore: Has shown a nose for the ball in the early going.

Will Likely: Another of these young guys who looks like he can play. Patriots have a bunch of them.

Dwayne Thomas and D.J. Killings: Incomplete but they have flashed a few times each.

Safety

Devin McCourty: He’s the undisputed leader of this defense in my mind. Continues to get better as a safety.

Patrick Chung: The only times he’s shown up to me is when he’s gotten burned. Of course, that’s not new, and in games he’s usually good.

Duron Harmon: Injured.

Nate Ebner: Patriots coaches love him. Still don’t want to see him in any base defenses.

Jordan Richards: Looks a little quicker and able to make a few more plays. Not sure it’s enough for him to make the team this year.

Brandon King: Shows up a few times each practice. I need to watch him more.

Damarius Travis, David Jones, Jason Thompson: Incomplete.