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New England Patriots 2019 training camp primer: Defensive linemen

By Patrick Morgan

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Adam Butler #70 of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Adam Butler #70 of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks walks the sidelines before the game against the Houston Texans at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks walks the sidelines before the game against the Houston Texans at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Here’s what we know…

Bill Belichick is one smart cookie.

On the exact same day that Flowers officially signed with the Lions, Belichick executed a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to import veteran defensive end Michael Bennett to Foxborough. For the price of just a 2020 fifth-round draft pick, the Pats picked up Bennett and a 2020 seventh-rounder.

It may look on paper like a stupid move by the Eagles, but the trade was essentially a salary dump for Philly. Just as the Patriots knew they couldn’t afford to keep Flowers and stay under the salary cap (not to mention field a competitive team), the Eagles knew they couldn’t accommodate Bennett’s desire to get a raise while staying under the cap themselves (and also fielding a competitive team).

In 16 games with the Eagles last season, Bennett accumulated 34 combined tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. By his own lofty standards, it was far from his best season as a professional football player. By the Patriots’ own 2018 standards, however, his nine sacks would have led the team (Flowers “only” had 7.5 himself).

When you consider those statistics and you add in everything we know about Bennett’s ability to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen, it’s indeed fair to wonder just how big a liability New England’s pass rush really might be this year. It’s trendy to suggest that the Patriots won’t be able to dial up much pressure, especially with Flowers gone… but we’re not so sure, as saying as much discredits all that Bennett brings to the table.

And it’s not just Bennett either.

Deatrich Wise Jr. had 4.5 sacks of his own last season and has shown a true knack for setting the edge against opposing running backs since he was drafted by the team in 2017. John Simon didn’t join the team till late September of last year, but he really made an impact the further along the season went. Chase Winovich was selected in April’s draft to also reinforce the Patriots’ pass-rushing department; if he’s anywhere near the player he was at Michigan, Belichick may have found quite the steal in the third round.

At defensive tackle, Lawrence Guy returns after playing a full 16-game season (in which he earned 15 starts). He’s joined by ex-Jet Mike Pennel, a 6’4, 332-lb grinder who should further strengthen a rushing defense that finished just outside the top ten last season in yards allowed. Third-year player Adam Butler should also make the final 53-man roster assuming nothing catastrophic happens during training camp or the preseason.

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