PatsPropaganda

I think the starters are set with Hightower sliding to Mike, Collins at Sam and Mayo at Will, at least in the 4-3. In the 3-4 you probably just stand Ninkovich or Chandler up.

In subpackages I think Collins will be next to Mayo, effectively eliminating the need to play a safety at the money position. Collins has better size than any safety you could put there and seems like the next evolution of subpackage player, since he can cover big tight ends or even be sent after the quarterback. 

Perhaps the biggest question is whether or not Collins overtakes Mayo as the top coverage linebacker. Mayo has always had the speed and smarts but he’s just never seemed to develop that coverage savvy that someone like Bruschi had.

Take a look at Victor Cruz’s TD in SB 46 to see what I’m talking about. Mayo has the perfect call to at least defend the pass and probably should’ve intercepted it. Instead he never gets his head around and it’s six points. This is an indicative example of the biggest weakness I see in Mayo’s game.

At this point it’s hard to answer because there will be additions everywhere and who knows how it will all play out in camp and over the course of the season.

If it’s McCourty/Harmon and Dennard/Ryan/Arrington then probably not. They’d really need to add a significant third defensive end, get Wilfork/Kelly back at full strength and get a breakout year from Armstead and Chris Jones. Jamie Collins would also have to elevate into possibly their best player on defense.

Talib and that defensive end are key. If those two pieces fall into place, I really like the ingredients and it gives them a bit more flexibility with the outcome of Wilfork/Kelly.

Probably a pipe dream, because they’re going to get paid a lot with the extra cap money the NFL unleased, but I’d love to see Jared Allen or Demarcus Ware/Julius Peppers if they get cut. The Pats could really manage those veterans well in a rotation with Jones and Wilfork and it would add a significant pass rush presence they just haven’t had since the dynasty days.

More realistically I think they end up with someone like Lamarr Houston.

Was really big on Melton last season, I could still see it, though there were some off the field issues last season.He’s a little more of a traditional 4-3 defensive tackle so I’m not sure where Armstead and Chris Jones fit into that. Would they still give a competitive offer to him with those young guys already in the system? Maybe not.

Ideally I think they spend the big bucks on a defensive end in free agency and maybe find a lower end defensive tackle for depth/insurance for Wilfork/Kelly.