Before an NFL team turns the page on the previous season and moves forward to the next, they put the team and their players under a microscope to see what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to be changed/altered to make progress in 2020.
Obviously, we have no idea what the Patriots’ internal grading looks like, and we don’t anticipate Bill Belichick opening up his grade book to the public anytime soon. So, we’re left to do our homework with some assistance from people who have knowledge of how the Patriots view things.
So we’ll start our dissection (which is a homage to my mentor, Bob McGinn) with an overview of the team and positions, and then we’ll move onto individual player grades/assessments. Finally, we’ll conclude with our imitated but never duplicated offseason depth chart coded for performance and contract status, and with a comprehensive analysis of team needs headed into the ’20 offseason.
Here's the 2018 version.
Part I: Grading the 2019 Patriots: Patriots were better overall, but tilted too much to the defense; Brady improved
Part II — Team grades for passing offense, rushing offense.
Part III — Team grades for passing defense, rushing defense, special teams.
Part IV — Team grades for personnel moves, coaching and overall.
Part V—Individual offensive grades.
Now: Part VI—Individual defensive grades.
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And with that, let’s get started…
Grades are only for players who played snaps on defense. The criteria used is how the player performed compared to the average NFL player at his position this season only (it is not a projection or comment of a player’s future), and injuries are not taken into account because the information is incomplete. Role on special teams not taken into account. Grade chart:
A: Elite player (top 4-5 at position).
B: Good starter (top 10-15).
C: Average starter/reserve.
D: Starter/reserve and in danger of being replaced.
F: Reserve/should be replaced.
Plus: Ascending player this season.
Minus: Descending.
EDGE PLAYERS
Kyle Van Noy (80.8 percent playing time): After playing a little bit all over the place his first few seasons in New England (sometimes because of injuries to others), Van Noy really settled in on the edge the past two seasons and was arguably, on a down-to-down basis, the team's MVP this season. Van Noy led the team in every pass-rushing stat (sacks, hits, hurries and total QB pressures) and was also the best edge player against the run, even with missing the first game for the birth of his first child. Far from the most physically gifted player, Van Noy used his smarts and leverage to win on the edge. One mild concern, and it could affect his free agency: Van Noy had 29 of his pressures in a nine-game stretch (3.2 average) after Week 1. He had 12 in the final seven games (1.7). In many ways, you could say that was emblematic of the defense as a whole and, perhaps, that unit went how Van Noy went.
Grade: A-minus.
John Simon (47.6%): Didn't really put up huge pass-rush numbers (15 total QB pressures) but he was one of the team's best run stuffers on the edge (10 stuffs). A very smart and savvy player whose impact was felt when rookie Chase Winvovich had to set the edge in the run game — it wasn't even close and showed Simon's positive impact. Still, that's not a lot of production for a veteran making good coin and you wonder if the Patriots could have been just as good without him.
Grade: C-minus.
Chase Winovich (28.9%): There's no question that the rookie made an impact in the pass rush by coming in fifth on the team in total quarterback pressures, and that's a good and typical start for a rookie. But we were hoping he would show more ability on an every-down basis as the season went on, but he did not and that's a concern. Will need to make a big jump in his football IQ and ability to set the edge this offseason for him to become an every-down player, which he might need to be with Van Noy set to test free agency.
Grade: C-minus.
Shilique Calhoun (26.9%): Was one of the big surprises of camp and looked to be a hidden gem but thanks to a healthy roster, never really got a chance to show much. Has starter potential in the NFL and could be part of the plan to replace Van Noy, but other savvy teams might see the film and come calling for the free agent.
Grade: C-minus.
DEFENSIVE INTERIOR
Lawrence Guy (51.9%): With his durability, versatility and overall top-notch play, is certainly among the handful of most valuable players for this team this past season. Should have been a Pro Bowler because the Patriots would have been lost without him controlling the middle of the line. Led the team with 20.5 run stuffs and he was just as valuable standing up to double teams. Just an outstanding season all around and you'd hope the team can ink him to an extension to keep him in the middle of that line for a while.
Grade: A.
Danny Shelton (48.8%): After being a disappointment and not getting the scheme for much of 2018, Shelton found no takers on the free-agent market and had to return to the Patriots. That was a very good thing for them because Shelton built off his close of '18 and had a very strong 2019 as the team's only nose tackle. Finished second with 14.5 run stuffs and his 6.1 pressure percentage was solid. His durability was also huge for a team that went skinny on the defensive line. Might find more of a market this year, but the Patriots should want him back.
Grade: C-plus.
Adam Butler (46.9%): Added more sacks this season thanks, mostly, to the work of others and his hustle, but his pressure numbers (15 total after 13 last year) have basically remained the same. He's been a little better against the run but, at least in this scheme, he'll be hardpressed to be more than a role player and that gets tougher to justify as he gets closer to unrestricted free agency.
Grade: C.
Deatrich Wise (22.7%): Has never been very strong against the run, especially when he has to play inside, which he had to do on this squad and it didn't go very well. However, his pressure percentage of 15.7 showed that he's still very valuable getting to the quarterback, especially from the outside. Had some really dumb penalties that put the team in bad spots.
Grade: C-minus.
Michael Bennett (12.9%): Sigh. What could have been, if the Patriots found a way to navigate through his playing time situation a little better. Despite playing just six games, his pressure totals (13) put him on pace to finish second on the team if New England stayed the course. But he did have issues playing within the scheme, and the team obviously had zero confidence in him defending the run ... although he couldn't be all that worse than Wise.
Grade: Incomplete.
Byron Cowart (4.3%): The fifth-round pick got basically no playing time this season as he projected for a sub rusher role that was manned by Butler. He has the potential to get bigger and stronger so his role could expand in time. Big offseason for him.
Grade: D.
LINEBACKERS
Jamie Collins (80.7%): Certainly put up some impressive numbers with a 13.9 pressure rate and 10 run stuffs, but he faded as the season went along — which has sort of been his MO throughout his career. Even according to PFF, Collins had four grades of elite (90 or above) in the first six games ... and then had one over 70 in the final 11 games. That could be an indication that he doesn't take care of himself or study hard enough over the course of the season, or there could have been an injury we didn't know about. In the end, he was barely above average and led the team with 16 missed tackles.
Grade: C-minus.
Dont'a Hightower (71.3%): Enjoyed one of his healthiest seasons to date as he started to take his off-field work just as seriously as the on-field stuff. Was third on the team with 19.5 pressures and was very good against the run. Was voted to the Pro Bowl as he regained the playmaking he showed from 2014-16. But he's going to be 30 soon and you wonder how much more mileage he has left with high-level play.
Grade: B-minus.
Ja'Whaun Bentley (27.3%): After coming out like gangbusters as a rookie, Bentley didn't stand out in any way, really, in his second season, his first back from an upper-body injury. Seemed slower and not as strong. Will need to take a big leap this offseason.
Grade: D.
Elandon Roberts (20%): With no injuries to speak of on defense, Roberts was an extra part to the point he was used as a fullback. No shame in that. The team only played two linebackers most of the time, and Bentley got a little more run because of his upside.
Grade: D-plus.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)Old diagram here (Cutler at QB for the Bears). And I’m missing some routes — deep over, pivot, double moves.
But this illustrates how much “space” Slot CBs have to cover. Plus, you have to play both inside/outside releases without the protection (or help) of the sideline. pic.twitter.com/4nuB219eA4
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) February 5, 2020