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New England Patriots: Making a defense of former Patriots

By Luke O'Brien

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) leaves the field after the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) leaves the field after the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley (91) celebrates with defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) after sacking San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Tackles

1st String – Dominique Easley (Rams)

1st String – Chris Jones (49ers)

2nd String – Sealver Siliga (Buccaneers)

3rd String – Joe Vellano (Falcons)

4th String – Kyle Love (Panthers)

 Cut in Camp – Khyri Thornton (Lions), Jerel Worthy (Bills), AJ Francis (Redskins)

The Patriots may have offloaded Easley after two years but that was more down to his attitude and his application rather than his raw talent. He is a starting caliber defensive tackle and is a step above the other talent on this roster. From 2013-2015 Chris Jones, Sealver Siliga and Joe Vellano formed a makeshift Defensive interior for the Patriots.

All three are now backups for their respective teams but solid NFL players nonetheless. In Kyle Love, the Patriots unearthed another undrafted talent. He played in all 16 games in his last two years with the Patriots but lacked the true talent to be a starter. He has had a resurgence of late in Carolina and squeezes in as the 5th defensive tackle.

Thornton and Worthy are both former Green Bay Packers high-round disappointments who have failed to make the grade in New England or elsewhere. Francis has been a career practice squad/futures contract player and doesn’t make the cut for the Ex-Pats.

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