5. Vincent Valentine (3rd round pick)
Total snaps: 57
Percentage of total defensive snaps: 28.93%
Week 1 snaps: 20
Week 2 snaps: 17
Week 3 snaps: 20
Vincent Valentine has been a pleasant surprise through the first three games, seeing a consistent amount of carries week to week and delivering. The Nebraska product has seven total tackles and a sack from Week 1 on his 2016 stat sheet.
As noted by Pro Football Focus, Valentine put forth a very strong performance in the first half against the Houston Texans:
Top-graded #Patriots DEF players 1H
— PFF (@PFF) September 23, 2016
LB Jamie Collins 89.8
DT Malcom Brown 75.1
DT Vincent Valentine 74.3
S Devin McCourty 74.2#HOUvsNE
Going forward, expect to keep seeing Valentine as the No. 3 defensive tackle behind Malcom Brown and Alan Branch. Thankfully, the Patriots cut veterans Terrance Knighton and Markus Kuhn before Week 1, as Valentine is a promising young player.
Next: 4. Malcolm Mitchell