Patriots: 3 Defensive Players Who’ll Have a Standout Year

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 25: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammates after his second quarter interception against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 25: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammates after his second quarter interception against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots LB Anfernee Jennings (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
New England Patriots LB Anfernee Jennings (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Anfernee Jennings, Linebacker

The next player poised for a standout season in New England is the other highly-drafted rookie linebacker, Anfernee Jennings. Jennings was drafted 83rd overall out of New England’s college affiliate team, also known as the University of Alabama. It’s worth mentioning that Jennings’ 6’3“, 259-pound frame is similar to Jamie Collins (6’3“, 255), who has always been successful and incredibly athletic during his stints with the Patriots.

Jennings being a product of Alabama and playing under head coach Nick Saban automatically gives him an upper hand in how the Patriots run their defensive schemes. From alignment, verbiage, and technique, Jennings should have no problem carving a role for himself in Bill Belichick’s Patriots defense.

"“I talked to Coach Belichick last night. He plans on using me kind of the same way that I was used at Alabama – using my versatility, being able to stack it back off the ball and line up on the edge and move around, making the most of wherever he puts me.” – Anfernee Jennings, per CBS Boston WBZ"

In addition to playing for Belichick’s former assistant, Jennings has experience and knowledge of the right level of versatility. In doing so, he often switched sides and lined up on the edge (both with his hand down or standing over the edge), was pulled off the line into coverage, and played inside linebacker at times.