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Ranking the Patriots’ interior defensive linemen

By Connor Fulton

Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) recovers a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) recovers a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alan Branch Patriots
Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch (97) reacts after sacking New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Alan Branch

2015 story: Branch played more consistently than any other of the Patriots’ interior defensive lineman last year, starting in 15 of 16 regular season games. In that action, the veteran logged 22 tackles, a sack, two passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Why he’s ranked at No. 2: Branch is the longest-tenured Patriot out of this group, and he has plenty of NFL experience to boot, dating back to his being selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Despite being the old man out of the group, Branch is still a very effective interior lineman. At 6-foot-6, 324 pounds he is more of a tree than a branch (har har).

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The Patriots like to have Branch in the lineup when it matters most, as evidenced by his presence on the field at the end of Super Bowl 49 and his starts in both postseason games last year.

Main training camp competitor(s): Knighton and Malcom Brown. As a result of being in New England a while, Branch should be pegged above Knighton; as for Brown, well, you’re about to read about him in the next slide.

Chances of making team: 9/10. Barring an unforeseen training camp meltdown, Branch will make the team.

Next: 1. Malcom Brown

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