New England Patriots: 53-man roster projection after two preseason games
By Brian Hines
Defensive Line (9): Malcom Brown, Adam Butler, Adrian Clayborn, Keionta Davis, Lawerence Guy, Trey Flowers, Danny Shelton, Derek Rivers, Deatrich Wise Jr.
The Patriots lack of pass rush could be viewed as the reason they lost the Super Bowl last season, but the new unit is off to a hot start in 2018. So far this preseason, the Patriots lead the NFL in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, doing so on 50 percent of their drop-backs.
Part of the reason is newcomers Adrian Clayborn and Danny Shelton, along with the returning Derek Rivers. Shelton is a major difference in the run game and Clayborn brings a mix of size, strength and speed to the Patriots edge. Clayborn’s strip sack of Nick Foles highlighted the Patriots five-sack first half against Philadelphia on Thursday. Rivers got off to a rough start in the first preseason game, but looked much better against the Eagles.
Trey Flowers remains a lock on the defensive line as he enters an important contract season, along with interior lineman Malcom Brown and Lawerence Guy. Keionta Davis has turned heads throughout camp, as he is a raw pass rusher with tons of talent who can rush from both the inside and out. Davis racked up five pressures and two sacks verse the Eagles and has received high praise form Coach Belichick.
Geneo Grissom could sneak his way on the roster due to special team reasons and knock an interior rusher like Davis or Adam Butler off the team.