Patriots' defense will need to live up to the high bar set by the 2023 season

The old saying goes, "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." Another maxim says, "If you’re not trying to get better, then you’re falling behind." Both phrases can apply to the New England Patriots heading into the upcoming season.

Last year, New England's defense was the better part of the team, led by its run defense, which was fourth overall in yards allowed and first in yards per attempt. It was impressive that the defense achieved both marks with a near-nonexistent offense.

While that is something for the defense to hang their hat on, it’s a new season. What happened last season won't matter for come Week 1.

Opponents will challenge the defense, knowing the offense could struggle again as the Patriots groom franchise QB Drake Maye. With the changes from last year to now, it might be asking too much for the defense to repeat last year’s feat. However, for New England to surpass expectations as a team, it starts with the run defense.

Following key changes, The New England Patriots’ run defense must remain stout for the team to be successful in 2024

For all the criticism last year’s Bill Belichick regime took, it’s funny how the Patriots retained most of their core free agents, and it’s viewed as a great thing. Kyle Dugger, Anfernee Jennings, and Joshua Uche were re-signed, and Christian Barmore was rewarded with a huge extension.

Left out was Lawrence Guy, a mainstay on the defense for the past seven years. The Patriots released the 12-year veteran, making Guy a free agent. He remains available, so a reunion is still possible but very unlikely.

The Patriots signed free agent Armon Watts from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watts is seven years younger than Guy and had a much higher overall Pro Football Focus grade than Guy (Watts 76.2, Guy 45.5). New England signed Watts for just one year, which we’ll discuss later.

If Watts is just a temporary fix, the Patriots should have a long-term solution. The best way to find one is through the NFL Draft. But out of eight picks, New England made just one defensive selection: CB Marcellas Dial Jr. out of South Carolina in the sixth round.

This was despite Northern Iowa’s Khristian Boyd, a prospect the Patriots allegedly showed strong interest in during the pre-draft process, still on the board. Boyd was selected nineteen picks after Dial.

Adding a day-three cornerback to a talented and deep position remains a questionable decision. It makes even less sense when taking a long-term look.

According to Spotrac, only Sam Roberts and Barmore are the only defensive tackles under contract beyond the 2024 season. After this season, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms, and Trysten Hill will all be free agents. Godchaux, Ekuale, and Pharms were regular contributors for the Patriots last year.

But that is looking ahead. For at least one season, the pieces are in place for the run defense to be solid again. Maybe even dominant.

What it will come down to is execution. And while new head coach Jerod Mayo has been very Belichick-like when it comes to team building, will Mayo’s coaching and schemes maintain the level of production on defense?

People unfairly fault Belichick for Mac Jones’ failed development (it was mostly Jones), but they can’t ignore the production on defense. Even with the injuries in the secondary, Belichick’s defenses typically were prepared and excelled.

With all due respect to Mayo, he has enormous shoes to fill, just on defense alone.

For one season, it seems Mayo has done the right things for the run defense. They will get tested early by the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. So it won’t take long to figure out if the Patriots did enough to win at the initial point of attack.

More Patriots coverage: