There were some major headlines this offseason for the Patriots at the defensive tackle position. The first was Vince Wilfork restructuring his contract after a somewhat acrimonious beginning in February.
Tommy Kelly did the same and, along with the first-round selection of the explosive Dominique Easley in the first round of the draft, the Pats have some promise in the front middle of their front seven.
The Pats still have some questions at the position, but if everyone is healthy it might just be one of the deepest and most talented spots on the roster.
Here’s our defensive tackle preview.
Both Wilfork and Kelly appear headed in the right direction after OTAs. While both could open training camp on the PUP list, it seems plausible that both will be ready to go sooner than later.
Can both return to their previous level of play after major injuries? That’s one of the biggest questions facing the Pats defense. However, unlike last year, the Pats have built up some depth behind their projected starting two-some.
Chris Jones and Sealver Siliga were thrown into the fire last year, Jones sooner than Siliga, but by January both were solid players trending upward. The Pats have failed to develop any youth at the position, so Jones and Siliga’s 2013 seasons are reason for optimism regardless of Wilfork and Kelly.
Joe Vellano also did a good job in relief duty in 2013, but with the addition of Easley and the return of Wilfork and Kelly, he could be pushed off the roster. He was the least impressive of the 2013 fill-ins and just lacks the size necessary to hold up and the speed to make an impact on passing downs.
The addition of Easley is one of the most exciting developments for the defense in recent seasons. Easley has rare explosion and despite coming off a second ACL tear, should be ready to go early in the season.
Easley should make an instant impact on third downs, a place where the Patriots have been worst in the NFL over the last four seasons. He is outside the mold of the kind of defensive tackles Bill Belichick tends to like and this points to the evolution of the game as well as Belichick’s thinking.
Marcus Forston and Seali’i Espenesa round out the depth at nose tackle, while Armond Armstead’s disappointing retirement thins out the depth a bit behind Jones and Easley for a pass rusher.
Projection: If everyone is healthy the Patriots will be able to play any front with perfect personnel. A penetrating 4-3? Easley and Jones have you covered inside. A two-gapping 3-4? Wilfork and Kelly can play any spot up front.
Most likely Belichick will mix and match his defensive tackles, with one attacking and another taking away multiple gaps. Who will be where on any given play in any given game is anyone’s guess.
And that’s just the way Belichick likes it.
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