Starting to take a closer look at what the Patriots currently have on the roster, and the top draft prospects at each position.
Previously:
DEFENSIVE LINE
Current Patriots Roster
Carl Davis (free agent), Daniel Ekuale (free agent), Henry Anderson (contract year), Davon Godchaux (contract year), Christian Barmore (2024), Byron Cowart (contract year), Deatrich Wise (2024), Lawrence Guy (2024), Byron Cowart (2024).
Patriots Historical Drafting
Over the last 15 years, the Patriots have made 12 selections. All those picks have come from major conferences, with the SEC having 5 selections. The Patriots did well with Malcom Brown (Texas) and early returns on Christian Barmore (Alabama) are great. The Patriots get a passing grade with Byron Cowart (Maryland). The biggest misses were Dominique Easley (Florida) and Ron Brace (BC).
Draft Expectations for the Position
From a league perspective, draft numbers aren’t as clear because of the evolution of what the front seven means in different schemes (DE vs. OLB). We’ll focus on the edge in another write-up but let's stick right on the line of scrimmage. Over the last 5 years, there have been 2.4 true defensive tackles selected in the first round. In 2019 there were 6 which inflated the numbers. This year is an average class. No clear-cut game-winners along the defensive line but there are some solid players who will get selected across the first 100 picks (3 rounds). From there it’s the eye of the beholder.
This is one of their top positions of need coming into the draft. The best Patriots teams, and Bill Belichick defenses, all had the ability to control the LOS and were strong up the middle. Expect the Patriots to address the defensive line at some point.
Potential First-Rounders
NT Jordan Davis, Georgia (6-foot-6, 340 pounds): He's virtually impossible to single block in the run game and very difficult to run at directly. He can make “wow” plays that just aren’t common and he will make someone’s run defense better. The biggest part of his evaluation is that he only plays 20-25 snaps a game and tires quickly.
He's not the fastest guy off the ball, doesn't offer much in pass rush and could do a better job getting hands up to deflect passes. I compare him to former Jacksonville Jaguar John Henderson or ideally Ted Washington for all of us older Pats fans. In a passing league, there’s a question of how much to value that skill set in Round 1.
DL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M (6-4, 290): He’s a versatile defensive lineman that can slide anywhere along the line. He has disruptive quickness and the ideal size the Patriots want in a 3-4 end. He doesn’t have the bend to put up sack numbers on the edge, but he can play inside on passing downs. He started as a freshman for the Aggies (good indicator on ability to transition quickly) and started almost 30 games in the SEC. He was 1st-team All-SEC this year.
DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia (6-2, 307): Good burst and athleticism combination. He may have the best get-off of all defensive line prospects but he’s more of a gap lineman, which isn’t a great fit for the Patriots scheme. He doesn't always play to his weight in the run game. He’s a solid player that has some good pass rush moves, range, and quickness but not a traditional fit.
DL Logan Hall, Houston (6-5, 278): Houston coach Dana Holgorsen says Hall is one of the best DTs he's ever coached. He looks athletic, is very long and he has good strength. He isn't afraid of physicality on the inside, but I think he has great potential as a 3-4 end, with the ability to move inside on passing downs. He's a good player that will need to work on countering moves and really focus on pad level, especially in a technique league. He's going to be a tweener for some teams and may take some time to develop. Patriots will have him well scouted as their area scout played for Holgorsen.
(John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) lines up for a play during a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers, in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 27, 2021.
POTENTIAL PATRIOT FITS BY ROUND
Round 1: DeMarvin Leal.
I like all of these guys to varying degrees, but I’d rank them Leal, Davis, Hall, and Wyatt. A lot of the pre-draft buzz has Leal dropping and I think that’s a mistake. He reminds me of former Patriot, and fellow Aggie, Ty Warren. I’d take him over Davis because of his three-down capability. The thinking would be to pair him with Barmore (the Richard Seymour to his Warren) and establish the foundation of your defensive line for the next 5-7 years.
Round 2: Travis Jones, UConn (6-4, 326).
I love this kid for the Patriots. He’s better built than Jordan Davis and he has the ability to be a true nose tackle. However, after the Senior Bowl, the secret is out, and I don’t think he’ll be there for the Patriots (at pick #54). If he’s not there then Phidarian Mathis (6-4, 313) would be the guy. He was Alabama’s best lineman this year. Physical player who is hard to move, does a good job at taking on blockers while keeping the chair upright, constantly moving, and uses his arm length to get his hands in passing lanes. He’s a solid starter at the next level.
Round 3: Neil Farrell Jr., LSU (6-3, 338).
He’s played a lot over the years as part of LSU’s deep defensive rotation. Farrell traditionally plays inside, he’s one of the best true NTs in this draft, but he can move around a bit. He was a monster against Alabama, just a dominant performance and the Tide finished with 6 yards rushing. Good power and burst (9.5 TFL from that position is very good) but he needs to watch the mental errors. An NFL nutrition table will also help him. The Patriots will dig around in the personal interviews, but word is that he’s grown up and became a leader at LSU.
Round 4: Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa St (6-6, 319).
He had a very good season and finished First-team All-Big-12. He has NFL size and he’s played enough roles to be scheme versatile, which the Patriots will like. I think he’s a 3-4 end in their scheme with the ability to move inside on certain downs. He’s not a great athlete but he’s tough to move and is somewhat relentless. He can anchor in the run game, and he’s improved his ability to disengage while rushing the passer (9 sacks). He’s well thought of within the Cyclones program.
Round 5: Noah Eliss, Idaho (6’4, 359).
He's a NT who can stand the point of attack at the level he played. He has the strength to two-gap, which is predominantly what the Patriots ask their nose tackle to execute. He’s not going to offer much more than power and size in the middle of the line. But he could develop into a potential starter. He's one of 12 kids and his father, Luther Ellis, was an All-Pro and played in the league for 10 years (and coached him at Idaho). One of his brothers, Kaden Ellis, was picked a couple of years ago by the Saints.
Round 6: Otito Ogbonnia, UCLA (6-3, 326).
He’s a good combination of decent size, athletic ability, and effort. He consistently hustles beyond his gaps (will make plays downfield). Ogbonnia doesn’t have elite power to walk a lineman back or fully drop anchor, something Vince Wilfork used to excel at. I wouldn’t be surprised if tests well at the Combine since he’s a good shot putter but he’s an interior rotational player in the Patriots scheme.
Round 7: Eric Johnson, Missouri State (6-4, 300).
Strong, powerful player who did not look out of place at the Senior Bowl. He flashed several times and by the end of the practices, I had full belief that he’ll be drafted (maybe even higher on Day 3). I think he’s a 3-4 edge that would rotate on running downs and develop as he earns reps.
Priority free agent/Round 7: Chris Hinton, Michigan (6’4, 310).
Highly rated recruit that could have used another year in college. He’s not the biggest nose but an above-average anchor that allows him to battle double teams. He’s not a true gap penetrator and against a zone scheme he could get lost in the wash but he’s intriguing enough for a late flier. The Patriots have tapped into that Michigan program, he’s a smart kid that has started the last two seasons, and he comes from an athletic background (father was an All-Pro for the Falcons and mother played college basketball).