Patriots: Who will lead the team in sacks this season?

3. Chase Winovich

Whether or not Chase Winovich deserves a place on this list depends almost entirely on how well he handles the rookie learning curve. A third-round selection by the Patriots out of Michigan, Winovich was selected with the hope and promise that he could become the future of the New England pass rush for years to come.

Winovich’s versatility is surely part of the reason Bill Belichick fell in love with him during this year’s draft. The 6’3, 255-lb former Wolverine played quarterback, linebacker, safety, and tight end over his school and early college career before finally finding his niche at defensive end.

Last season, despite playing at the opposite end of a fearsome Michigan defensive line that included more highly-touted prospect Rashan Gary (who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers 65 picks ahead of Winovich in the first round), “Wino” still finished ahead of Gary as a unanimous selection by coaches and the media for the 2018 All-Big Ten Conference football team. He also finished third on the Wolverines in total tackles and first in tackles for a loss.

The word that seems to come up with Winovich constantly is “motor.” Scouts, analysts, coaches, media figures… everyone can’t seem to get enough of praising what a great motor Winovich has, and how he never gives up on plays or takes a down off when he’s on the football field.

Those are tremendous qualities, no doubt – and ones that will surely endear him to his teammates and coaches as he acclimates to “The Patriot Way.”

But let’s not forget just how innately talented this kid is either, and how he possesses all the necessary physical and mental tools to make a major impact as a rookie in 2019. It would surprise no one in either Ann Arbor or in Foxborough if “Wino” finished the year as the Patriots’ leading sack artist.