New England Patriots 53-man 2018 Roster Projection v1.0: Defensive Tackle

As we get closer to the start of the 2018 NFL season, here is how the New England Patriots might look at defensive tackle this season.  

Part one of 12 kicked-off with a look at the quarterback position  and part two continued with a look at the running back position. while part three (tight end and fullback), four (wide receiver) five (offensive tackle) and six (guard and center) finished the offense. Now part seven continues with a look at the other side of the ball and the defense kicks-off with analysis on the defensive line position:

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: (4)

Starter(s): Danny Shelton, Malcolm Brown

Back-up(s): Lawrence Guy, Vincent Valentine

Roster Bubble Boy(s): John Atkins, Adam Butler

Analysis:

The New England Patriots now have two of the three defensive tackles taken in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft (and technically San Francisco’s Arik Armstead–the third defensive tackle from that draft–played as an edge rusher in 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 defense last year). 

Malcolm Brown has been remarkably consistent as an interior run stopper. He is never going to post gaudy sack numbers or make dazzling plays bursting into the backfield like some other stars at the defensive line position, but for New England’s hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense he is a perfect fit. One of the best twp-gapping tackles in the league, Brown consistently is in the right place forcing ball carriers into the waiting arms of a New England linebacker.

Malcom Brown is a very underappreciated defensive tackle and not on the national media radar. Being an effective two-gapping defensive tackle who gives up stats to tie up offensive linemen to allow the linebackers to make plays–as he has consistently done in his three years in New England–only makes headlines in the tape room. Brown is one of those players that coaches love as he keeps his mouth shut, does what he is told, and is always in the right spot. While his fifth-year option was declined, do not discount the likelihood he remains in New England long-term

With the decline of Alan Branch last season next to Brown, the Patriots leaned on journeyman Ricky Jean-Francois, Lawrence Guy (more of a defensive end than a tackle) and undrafted free agent Adam Butler on passing downs. Why the 4.7 yards per rushing attempt allowed (31st in the NFL)? Look no further than Branch’s getting old in a hurry and undersized tackles next to Brown. (all statistics from Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted)

BACK-UPS BATTLING FOR A ROSTER SPOT:

New England sorely missed second-year defensive tackle Vincent Valentine, who missed all of 2017 with a knee injury. The 2016 third round draft pick out of Nebraska is massive and has surprising quickness for a player his size. Not much of a pass rusher, he played very well in 2016 against the run and his loss was a big reason why the team struggled against the run.  

The Patriots went out to get another run-stuffer to replace Branch and as insurance with Valentine’s status unknown. Danny Shelton was picked up from Cleveland in exchange for a third round draft pick next year (with a fifth round pick going back to the Patriots as well). Shelton is listed as six-foot-two and 335 pounds, but he looks on tape to be easily over 350 pounds.

Shelton was the 12th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, but was not a great fit in Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ 4-3 defense. He moves well laterally for a player his size and can collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks into the arms of edge rushers. After three defensive coordinators in three seasons in Cleveland, Belichick’s stability and early downs 3-4 defense could be a great fit for the massive run-stuffing nose tackle on first and second downs.

Shelton with Brown gives the Patriots the two components necessary to make a big improvement to the run defense in the middle of the defensive line. Behind the duo, Guy is a versatile piece who can play inside and outside. Guy is another quiet player not making headlines but who is versatile and helped New England on the interior and on the edge in 2017.

The big camp battle will be between 2016 run-stuffer Vincent Valentine and 2017 undrafted free agent penetrating interior tackle Adam Butler. Valentine is more of a back-up to Shelton and Brown with the run-stuffing style and size. Butler is the outlier as a smaller, penetrating defensive tackle. Butler was a revelation rushing the passer from inside last preseason but struggled to make an impact during the regular season.

Final Word:

At this point, with the roster crunch at wide receiver and in the secondary, the Patriots may not be able to carry more than four defensive tackles on the roster in 2018. A big question mark is going to be whether Valentine is healthy after missing all of 2017. Butler could be extraneous if the defensive end position is deep enough to allow Trey Flowers to move inside on third downs and have to two solid edge rushers outside.

Next: 3 Reasons why Gronk should not be traded

At this time, the impressive second-year penetrating interior rusher Butler is on the chopping block with Valentine seemingly going to be back at full strength and filling a bigger role on defense in 2018.