Getting a lot of questions like this today for obvious reasons. I think the important thing is that injuries and competition have to play out. Especially in a situation like this, where there is some uncertainty due to injury.
But it’s fun to pretend, so let’s assume everybody’s healthy and there are no major surprises.
4-3 (standard run defense): Ninkovich-Wilfork-Kelly-Chandler
4-3 (double nose): Ninkovich-Siliga-Wilfork-Chandler
3-4: Kelly-Wilfork-Chandler Ninkovich-Hightower-Mayo-Collins
Nickel (run protection): Ninkovich-Wilfork-Easley-Chandler
Nickel (pass rush): Ninkovich-Chris Jones/Armstead-Easley-Chandler
or
Ninkovich-Chandler-Easley-Buchanan/Wil Smith
Dime (3-2-6): Buchanan-Wilfork-Easley Collins/Mayo at LB
As you can see there are plenty of options and a number of guys can be mixed and matched. I think Easley and probably Chris Jones are locks at DT, but after them Armstead/Kelly/Vellano will have to duke it out. Kelly could sneak on by getting PUP’d. I’d guess the Pats will be creative and calculating when it comes to the PUP list.
The good news is that there is depth and a number of options, however the lack of depth on the edges could be a problem. Ninkovich and Chandler are keys to almost every package.
