Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (21-26)

Sep 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (75) hits Buffalo Bills wide receiver Donald Jones (19) on a pass play and knocks the ball loose during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 52-28. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots 12-4
Last Season’s Rankings: #26 Overall Defense (373.1 total yards per game allowed) #18 Passing Defense (239 passing yards per game allowed) #30 Rushing Defense (134.1 rushing yards per game allowed)

In 2013, the amazing thing about the Patriots was that despite allowing 239.0 passing yards and 134.1 rushing yards per game (ranked 18th and 30th in the league last season, respectively), the Pats were able to go 12-4 and make it to the AFC Championship game. One of the reason for the influx in rushing and passing yards allowed last season can most likely be correlated to the injuries suffered to DT Vince Wilfork and CB Aqib Talib. But, like the Patriots always do; they found a way to win.

Unfortunately due to injuries, the Patriots run defense was one of the worst in the league last year, allowing 134.1 rushing yards per game (third-worst). From start to finish, the Patriots’ defensive front seven looks like: DE Rob Ninkovich (91 tackles, eight sacks and six tackles for loss), DT Vince Wilfork (average of 51.1 tackles, 1.7 sacks and 2.7 tackles for loss per season during 2004-2012), DT Tommy Kelly (average of 46.5 tackles, 3.8 sacks, and three tackles for loss per season from 2004-2012 with Oakland Raiders), DE Chandler Jones (79 tackles, 11.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2013), OLB Jamie Collins (43 tackles and two tackles for loss), ILB Jerod Mayo (55 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one tackle for loss) and OLB Dont’a Hightower (97 tackles, three tackles for loss and three passes defended). Although most of the starters at the moment are veterans and returning guys from last year, the Pats added some key rookie additions which make each part of their defense that much more versatile.

As the number one overall selection by the Patriots, much expectations have been placed upon the head of Florida DT Dominique Easley. According to NFL.com, Easley was “highly recruited out of New York. Enrolled at Florida in 2010 and played in five games as a true freshman, recording four tackles, zero for loss and zero sacks. Was limited all year by an ankle injury. Earned a starting defensive tackle spot in ’11 and played in 12 games, recording 37 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Returned to the field in ’12 and started 11 games at defensive end, recording 26 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks with one pass batted. Started the first three games of ’13 at defensive tackle and had 5 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. His season was cut short when he ruptured his right ACL and medial meniscus in a non-contact practice drill.” Now in most of my analysis I have stated production as a key factor to a player’s potential in the NFL. Ignore everything I have said about production. In the case of Easley, you have to ignore it because he has no production. Where Belichick knows this kid is the most valuable is in his ability to get to the QB or the ball carrier in a hurry. Although Easley may be overly aggressive when it comes to blitzing, he can help channel that over-zealousness and get some key stops next season. Currently on the Patriots’ depth chart, Tommy Kelly is the starting right tackle. After the pre-season and training camp, Easley should see his name easily climb to the top of that depth chart. 

Many may have not heard of DE Zach Moore, nor even the University of Concordia, Saint Paul for that matter. However, once you hear about the accomplishments of Moore, you would have wished you knew about him long before the 2014 NFL Draft. According to Concordia’s website, Moore “has 26.0 sacks in 28 games with 35.5 tackles for loss, has 24.0 sacks over last two seasons (2010, 2012), ranks fourth in school history in sacks, just 4.0 shy of the school record total of 30.0. Was a Sporting News Preseason All-America, BSN Preseason All-America First Team and College Football America Preseason All-American in 2013.”

In 2009, Moore played in eight games earning one start at defensive end at SMSU (10/17/09) and made 16 tackles with 3.0 for loss and 2.0 sacks in his rookie collegiate season. In his lone start at SMSU, recorded four tackles (three solo) with 2.0 for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Originally Moore was a Chicago 5-star recruit, Illinois Prairie State Top Five, named All-City First Team, All-State and selected to Illinois Top 100 Players.” In 2010, he was named Daktronics All-Region Second Team and Don Hansen’s All-Region Second Team, All-NSIC South Division First Team, had 42 tackles, 11.5 for loss and 10 sacks to lead Concordia defensive line, tied for sixth in the nation in sacks per game (1.00), tied for 46th in the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.46), led NSIC in overall sacks with 10 in nine games (1.11 per game) and in conference only play with 9.5 in eight games (1.19 per game). He finished third in tackles for loss per game (1.38) with 11.0 in eight NSIC-only games. In 2012, Moore was voted team captain, AFCA All-America First Team, D2Football.com All-America First Team, BSN All-America First Team, Associated Press Little All-America Second Team, Don Hansen All-America Second Team, Daktronics All-Super Region 3 Region First Team, Don Hansen All-Super Region 3 First Team, All-NSIC South Division First Team, earned team Big Bear of the Year award, Parlet Lifter of the Year award and Paw Pride of the Year award … earned CU Defensive Player of the Week award three times (at UM Crookston, vs Wayne State and at Winona State) and CU Defensive Lineman of the Week award five times (at UM Crookston, Upper Iowa, at Sioux Falls, Wayne State and at Winona State). He was named CU Male Athlete of the Week for season finale performance at Winona State (11/10/12), ranked fifth in the nation in sacks per game (1.27) and tied for 11th in tackles for loss per game (1.91). His 14.0 total sacks were fourth most in Division II football and led the NSIC in total sacks (14.0), sacks per game (1.27), tackles for loss (21.0) and tackles for loss per game (1.91). In short Moore was a boss in college. Where he is so deadly is in his physical capabilities. Because Moore is muscular and speedy quick, the sky is the limit when playing on this defensive line. While Moore won’t certainly get starting time anytime soon, once he shows in training camp that he is the real deal and if Chandler Jones totally messes up, Moore should not be seeing the bench a lot more often.

The pick I most appreciated for the rush defense was DT Dominique Easley. Last season the Patriots’ run defense was absolutely horrendous without Vince Wilfork. With Easley and Wilfork working in tandem, the Pats should be able to stop any running back that comes their way. I liked the amount of underrated and unnoticed talent such as that of DE Zach Moore. It remains to be seen whether or not college success will turn out into NFL success, but we hope that those picks will work out for the Patriots. I think that the Pats’ front seven is solid in terms of the defensive line. I think that considering 2013’s performances, the Patriots LBs still have a lot left to prove. If they can band together and stop opposing running backs, I believe that this rush defense will see genuine improvement over last season. They lost LB Brandon Spikes to free agency and will rely on other talent to get the job done. Dominique Easley has seen his fair share of adversity, but I think he will see the light of day in 2014. The Patriots have the talent, it is all a matter of how the coaches use it and how the players respond to the challenge.

The Patriot’s passing game was not as poor as their running game, however after allowing 239 passing yards per game in 2013, the Pats needed to at least pick up one defensive addition to their secondary. Luckily the Pats did select a defensive back to add to their existing secondary.

According to NFL.com, newly-drafted Georgia Tech free safety Jemea Thomas “started all 27 games last 2 seasons. 2013: Started all 13 games. Led team with 88 tackles, 8 PBU. Tied for team lead with 2 INTs. 2012: Started all 14 games. Led team in INT (4). 2011: Played in all 13 games, starting 2. Tied for team lead with 3 INTs. Returned 3 punts (10.3 yards per return). 2010: Redshirted. 2009: Served as backup to Morgan Burnett (Packers) at rover position. High School: Class AA first-team all-state selection in Georgia.” With Aqib Talib now in Denver and the shaky Alfonzo Dennard playing corner, Thomas should be able to provide some help in the future for this secondary. Currently he is the 4th-string free safety, however with some work, I’m sure takign Nate Ebner’s job should not be that difficult. 

Already the Pats have shown to have gotten over Talib, signing all-pro CB Darrelle Revis from Tampa Bay and Seattle CB Brandon Browner this off-season. That combination should make the Patriots secondary shut-down status. The only concern the Patriots should have right now is with a safety considering that Steve Gregory  is still an unrestricted free agent. The Pats can benefit by using the money they would have used on Talib and use it get another safety. Talib is a pretty good corner, however I think that with Revis and Browner on the outside the Pats should have no problem covering the pass. Considering that Aqib Talib is now a Denver Bronco, signing former Jet and Buccaneer CB Darrelle Revis was only natural for the Pats. Although their 30th ranked rush defense could use more help than their 18th ranked pass defense, Revis is a legitimate pickup that should not be taken lightly in any stretch of the imagination. As a Jet and Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Revis defended 109 passes and intercepted 21 passes. With Revis everyone knows what the Pats are getting: one of the best shut-down corners in the game.

Other players in the New England secondary include: SS Duron Harmon (31 tackles, four passes defended and two interceptions), FS Devin Mccourty (69 tackles and nine passes defended) and CBs Alfonzo Dennard (40 tackles and eight passes defended), Kyle Arrington (62 tackles and 13 passes defended) and Logan Ryan (35 tackles, 10 passes defended and five interceptions). I think that this Patriots secondary is definitely stacked at the CB position, the only problem is that they need a solid SS. Duron Harmon was not really what I think the Pats need in order to succeed. Regardless, with Browner and all of the new additions, the Patriots should see improvement over last season’s 18th-ranked passing offense which allowed 25 passing touchdowns.