Possible options on Patriots Big Three

The New England Patriots have a quiet dilemma.

Bill Belichick has had the pleasure of having DE Chandler Jones and LBs Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins on the same field. All three have caused ruckus against opposing offenses and feed off one another. When on the field at the same time, they are clearly at their best.

However, an argument can be made about Jones’ performance (or lack there of) in the playoffs. For four straight seasons, the defensive end disappeared in the playoffs after strong regular seasons.

Of course, the Patriots would like to retain all three, which is possible, but is that the move they should make?

Here are three options:

Sign all three to extensions

Being able to keep all three players would be great for both sides. They have played at high levels and have taken on a leadership role on the field, especially Hightower. With DE Rob Ninkovich likely looking at his last season in Foxborough, the Patriots may look to lock up their 2012 first round draft pick to keep stability at the position.

Patriots have $13.6 million in cap space

As for Hightower and Collins, it would foolish to move on from them both, as together they are arguably one of the best linebacker duos in the league.

With Jerod Mayo retiring, the Patriots will save money towards the cap ($7 million to be exact), and could essentially be used to either help extend the two linebackers, bring in a veteran player, or sign the draft class.

Sign Hightower & Collins, let Jones walk in FA  

This seems to be a very popular opinion.

The importance of Hightower & Collins is well known to not just fans and analysts, but to the organization as well, so it would be much easier to move on from Jones than the young linebackers.

In the 2014 season, Jones missed six games due to injury, but wasn’t missed on the field. The defense continued to perform at a high level just before Jones’ return in December. During that span, the Patriots traded with the Tennessee Titans to acquire LB Akeem Ayers along with a seventh-round draft pick and proved to be a solid piece in their defense. Although, not naturally a defensive end, the Patriots loved to use Ayers in pass rushing situations.

Here’s what the Patriots defense accomplished during their six games without Jones (Faced Jay Cutler, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Philip Rivers).

The numbers aren’t eye popping, but against some of the best passers in the league, the Patriots defense held their own.

As for this season, both Collins and Hightower both missed games and it was noticeable as for the games that were missed, one linebacker was not on the field with the other and the defense wasn’t as effective.

Letting Jones walk would also allow the Patriots to receive a third-round compensatory pick in the 2017 draft.

Sign Hightower & Collins, trade Jones

Will Patriots trade Chandler Jones to get first-round pick?

Finally, trading Jones while he is still under contract is another option that could very well benefit the Patriots.

In doing so, they have the possibility of receiving a high draft pick or a player and a draft pick as well. Belichick would not have an issue doing it, and it would not be the first time he has done it (Patriots traded Richard Seymour in 2009 for a first round draft pick in 2011).

More from Musket Fire

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• Best and worst draft picks during the Bill Belichick era
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• Musket Fire Roundup: Our own final predictions for round 1

Patriots’ Defensive End Depth

Rob Ninkovich (32)

Jabaal Sheard (26)

Geneo Grissom (23)

Trey Flowers (22)

Jabaal Sheard, who signed a two-year $11 million dollar deal last season, has been phenomenal since his arrival in Foxborough. Based on his performance this season, the Patriots may extend him going forward.

Flowers and Grissom could very well be the future of the defensive end position. The young defenders showed promise and could will well see more snaps next season. It is likely the Patriots go to the draft to add more depth (there is never too much) whether it’s this upcoming season or 2017.

Although this may not be a popular opinion, it is an option that New England must consider.

Next: Top 3 Positions the Patriots Should Target in FA

Far more times than not Belichick knows what he is doing to field a dominant football team, as he has done so for the past 15 years. It is very possible New England will resign all three defenders after certain players reconstruct their contracts or simply cutting cap causalities.

But if they need to move on from Jones to help sign Hightower and Collins, and eventually CB Malcolm Butler, it’s a sacrifice that will be worth the risk.