New England Patriots: 5 Early bold predictions for the 2018 season

4. Derek Rivers leads the Patriots in sacks

After becoming the Patriots’ third-round pick last offseason, Derek Rivers has yet to see the field. A torn ACL during the 2017 preseason ended his rookie season before it began, forcing him to watch the franchise’s run to the Super Bowl from the sidelines.

Despite that, the outlook on Rivers’ career is still very promising. A draft community favorite leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, the Youngstown State product offers outstanding speed and athleticism off the edge. Finally getting back to full strength, a healthy dose of snaps should help Rivers lead the way for the Patriots in the sack department.

Now I will admit this doesn’t seem like the most difficult of accomplishments. For the last two seasons, Trey Flowers has led the Patriots in quarterback takedowns. He amassed seven in 2016 and 6.5 in 2017 — not exactly gaudy numbers. Overcoming that number won’t be easy, but it also isn’t an impossible task for a talented pass rusher like Rivers.

I won’t go into specifics, but Rivers will find a way to outpace Flowers this season. Maybe he’ll even come close to or exceed the 10-sack mark, giving him the first double-digit sack season in New England since Chandler Jones’ 2015 effort.

Rivers is teeming with upside. The Patriots will give him every opportunity to unleash it as a sophomore, and he won’t disappoint.