Defensive Tackle – 3
- Alan Branch
- Malcom Brown
- Vincent Valentine
New England will deploy a familiar interior defensive line in 2017, featuring three returning defensive tackles. 2016 third-round pick Vincent Valentine should see his role increase as he enters his second season in the pros. Alan Branch played 60% of the team’s defensive snaps last season, followed by Malcom Brown with 57%. With a year of experience under his belt, Valentine should expect to hear his name called more and more throughout the year.
Defensive End – 6
- Trey Flowers
- Lawrence Guy
- Rob Ninkovich
- Kony Ealy
- Derek Rivers
- Deatrich Wise
Free agent signee Lawrence Guy will be a player to watch out for as the regular season approaches. As CSN New England’s Phil Perry points out, Guy is a ‘swiss army knife’ of a defender. He has the size to play from the interior as a 1 technique or 2 technique defensive tackle along with the experience outside as a 3-4 defensive end. He could be utilized as a strong-side run defender with Trey Flowers on the opposite side as well as a 3 technique pass rusher. Guy’s versatility is a major advantage to his game.
Flowers will be called on as the Patriots’ top pass rusher with Rob Ninkovich and Kony Ealy subbing in at opposite ends.