Patriots: 3 players who aren’t getting enough respect entering 2021

The New England Patriots currently have $20.18 million in cap space lying around, which is good for the sixth-most of any team in the NFL. That seems impossible given how much money they’ve already spent this offseason, but who are we to question their methods?

It remains to be seen if the Patriots are planning to use some of their remaining money or if they want to have some of it carry over into next season, when the salary cap will skyrocket and they can potentially go on another spending spree.

What is abundantly clear, however, is that the Foxborough faithful have very little to complain about in terms of how the roster is presently constructed.

The Pats have high-end talent at each level of the field and seem poised to return to the playoffs if they handle their business.

However, while impact players like Stephon Gilmore, Cam Newton and Matt Judon will garner most of the headlines leading up to next season, the unsung heroes of New England’s roster deserve equal recognition.

After all, without them there’s no way to know where the Patriots would’ve finished in recent seasons.

These three Patriots players deserve more respect entering 2021.

3. Lawrence Guy

The Patriots welcomed a plethora of new defensive linemen to their front seven this offseason, but by no means is that an indictment against Lawrence Guy, whose consistency over the last handful of seasons was rewarded with a new four-year, $11.5 million contract.

Could the 31-year-old vet have signed for more money elsewhere? Without a doubt, and him  choosing to re-sign with the Patriots proves he’s a team-first player. If that didn’t convince you, maybe the fact that Guy can play anywhere along the Pats’ defensive front will do the trick.

There’s a reason Bill Belichick raves about Guy at every possible opportunity. Though the nine-year pro doesn’t pad the stat sheet, he eats up a ton of real estate in the trenches, which only generates more holes for his teammates to bullrush opposing quarterbacks.

Lawrence Guy is essential to what the Patriots do defensively.

In 2019, Guy finished with 61 tackles, which ranked third among New England defenders, if you can believe it, three sacks, five QB hits, and an interception. He followed that up by recording 57 tackles (four for loss), two sacks, seven QB hits and 11 pressures last campaign.

Like so many interior lineman around the league, Guy won’t get the same recognition as a lockdown cornerback or proven edge rusher, but he’s just as important to the Pats. Not many players last very long in Foxborough and the fact that Guy already has three years under his belt and is now signed through 2024 proves he’s deserving of more respect.