Patriots 2021 Position Preview: Retooled defensive line should fix old problems

The 2020 Patriots had big problems in certain areas. On the defensive line, their solution was to get big.

That’s because the most glaring issue on the Pats’ defensive front in 2020 came against the run. New England ranked 26th in the National Football League with 2,103 opposing rushing yards. A lack of pass-rushing can obviously be a major problem, too, but if you can’t stop the run, good offenses are virtually impossible to slow down.

The run defense should see marked improvement in 2021, thanks to the Patriots’ massive retooling of the entire front-seven. But on the defensive line, specifically, a pair of notable free-agent additions and the retention of veteran anchors should make the Patriots harder to run against, especially up the middle.

But what about the pass-rushing? Adam Butler was the team’s most consistently dependable interior pass-rusher, but a promising rookie could represent an upgrade over him. And there are plenty of defensive linemen who still remain on the depth chart from prior seasons, so there will be a competition in the bottom-half of the list over the course of training camp, which begins July 28.

Here’s a preview of the Patriots’ 2021 defensive line as camp approaches…

• Big-Money Gambling

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  The biggest free-agent signing for the Patriots defensive line came in the form of Davon Godchaux, a towering interior defender with nose tackle potential. When on the field, he should be more of a factor for the Patriots on early downs against the run than almost anyone on the roster was in 2020.
  
  But the question for Godchaux, who signed with the Patriots for two years and up to $15 million, is health. He's coming off a season in which he only played five games, and struggled to regain a spot on the active roster late in the 2020 season for the Dolphins. So he has people to prove wrong in New England. He does sound like he has the right kind of "Do Your Job" mentality that Bill Belichick would want in a guy manning the middle of the defensive line.
  
  “I just feel like doing your job is all a part of being yourself,” Godchaux said in his introductory press conference in March. “Make plays, but be yourself and do your job in that scheme. Don’t try to make plays outside of what you’re assigned to do. I feel like once you do that, it makes it a lot easier.”
  
  The Patriots also signed former Jets defensive lineman Henry Anderson, but for less than half the money they committed to Godchaux. Anderson should be a solid edge-setter, though, which would correct a problem the Patriots have had up front since losing Trey Flowers two years ago. But Godchaux is clearly the one D-lineman expected to give the unit an immediate adrenaline shot.

• Rookie Wild Card

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  The aforementioned "promising rookie" is, of course, former Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore. The clear No. 1 prospect at the position in the 2021 NFL Draft, Barmore became a Patriot after the team traded up to the 38th pick to snag him.
  
  It's rare for rookies to make an immediate impact in New England, especially on defense. But Barmore has a real opportunity in front of him to, at the very least, see the field on third down and in obvious passing situations. He likely needs time to develop and round out his game as he gains professional experience, but his raw explosiveness could make him a factor as a pass-rusher in year 1.
  
  If Barmore doesn't pop as a rookie, then the pass-rushing talent on the defensive line is a particular question mark. It could be an area where the Patriots have to rely on scheme, and on their veterans to execute it.

• The Anchor

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  Belichick's spending spree on the front-seven prompted questions of whether Lawrence Guy would return. But after a brief time as a free agent, Guy ultimately re-signed with the Patriots for four years and up to $11.5 million. The 31-year-old now appears likely to play out the rest of his career in New England.
  
  Guy was as steady and dependable as anyone on the Patriots roster from 2017-2020. He played in 62 of a possible 64 games, starting 60 of them. In 2020, he recorded 57 tackles, four tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and two sacks in 14 games.
  
  With a significantly improved roster around him on both the defensive line and at linebacker, Guy should actually have more space opened up for him. But against the run, anyway, Guy should continue to be a stout presence. And if Godchaux and Anderson are healthy and flanking him, Guy will be in even more of a position to succeed.
• New Leadership?

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  Of the Patriots' long-term signings in 2021, Deatrich Wise was arguably the most surprising. A four-year extension for as much as $22 million didn't seem likely after 2020. But Wise has steadily risen as a leader in the Patriots' locker room, and remains among their most credited players for how hard he works and the example he sets.
  
  The problem with Wise hasn't necessarily been his fault. He's always been more of a fit for a 4-3 defense, and his attempt to transition into more of a 3-4 defensive end role over the past two seasons hasn't translated to great success. But now that Wise won't necessarily have to play every down or set the edge against the run, Belichick can pick his spots and put him on the field in situations where he can get to the quarterback.
  
  Along with Guy, Wise is now the Patriots' longest-tenured defensive lineman. And with his new deal locked in, he's a candidate to become a team captain for the first time, too.

• The Rest…

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  At the end of the defensive line depth chart, there's a mixed bag of free agents, journeymen, and kids. Byron Cowart is entering his third season, coming off a 2020 campaign in which he started 14 games and recorded a sack, three QB hits, and a batted pass. Cowart has made steady progress after being drafted as a fifth-round pick in 2019 and should have a good chance to stick around.
  
  There's legitimate competition, though. Veteran Carl Davis, who joined the Pats midway through the 2020 season, made immediate headway on the roster before injuries derailed him. He re-signed with the Patriots in March and should push for a roster spot. The Patriots also signed former Packers defensive end Montravius Adams, a more unheralded signing than Godchaux or Anderson.
  
  A group of young practice squad candidates remain from 2020, including Nick Thurman, Tashawn Bower, Akeem Spence, and Bill Murray. But with the reinforcements in the fold, it'll be hard for any of them to elevate to the main roster this time around.

Projected Depth Chart: Patriots Defensive Line

Defensive End:

1. Deatrich Wise
2. Henry Anderson
3. Montravius Adams
4. Tashawn Bower
5. Nick Thurman

Defensive Tackle:

1. Lawrence Guy
2. Davon Godchaux
3. Byron Cowart
4. Christian Barmore
5. Carl Davis
6. Akeem Spence
7. Bill Murray

The Patriots are still likely to operate out of a 3-4 base, if not a 3-3-5 “Nickel” set. Either way, they’re looking at three down linemen, which explains the greater depth on the interior.

While the pass-rushing in this group will enter the season as a concern, the run defense should be vastly improved over 2020, which would make life a lot easier for the defense as a whole.

Patriots 2021 Positional Previews: Quarterback | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Offensive Line | Running Back | Cornerback | Safety

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive linemen Davon Godchaux (92) and Lawrence Guy (93) participate in a drill during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore (51) participates in a drill during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• New York Jets v Washington Redskins

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  LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 17: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins runs in front of Henry Anderson #96 of the New York Jets during the first half at FedExField on November 17, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
• New York Giants v New England Patriots

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  FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 29: Byron Cowart #99 of the New England Patriots during the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• Minnesota Vikings v Green Bay Packers

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  GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 16: Montravius Adams #90 of the Green Bay Packers rushes against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Vikings and the Packers tied 29-29 after overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

• NFL: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

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  Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks to pass under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Tashawn Bower (96) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Bill Murray (97) participates in a drill during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

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  Nov 1, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Nick Thurman (92) takes a moment prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

MORE: Patriots Announce Training Camp Start Dates

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.