Key Patriots edge defender aims to become an every-down force
In the post-Matthew Judon era, no Patriots defender has a bigger opportunity in front of him than Anfernee Jennings.
Whenever Judon hasn’t been on the field in practice, Jennings has often been the next man up in his spot. The specter of Judon’s full-time return loomed over the summer of 2024, but now that Judon is gone via trade, Jennings is in line for a bigger role than ever in a defense that brings back a number of key pieces – including him.
After Judon went down with a torn bicep during the 2023 season, Jennings stepped up to a major role in the Patriots’ linebacking corps. He was inactive for the first two games, then played 35.3% of defensive snaps in Weeks 3-4. From Week 5 on, his defensive snaps spiked to 71.9% over the course of the season. He logged 52 tackles, 21 total quarterback pressures, and 46 “defensive stops,” according to Pro Football Focus.
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Jennings has proven to be an excellent edge-setter against the run; his PFF run defense grade of 85.9 ranked fifth among all edge defenders in the NFL last regular season. He’ll continue to be a major piece of a Pats run defense that allowed a league-low 3.3 yards per carry in 2023. But he’s also likely to play on more pass-rushing downs than ever before.
“It’s all about the opportunity,” Jennings told 985TheSportsHub.com. “Those [pass-rushing] downs come with minimum opportunities. So, to now be kind of featured, I’m feeling good about it, ready to go. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll be ready.”
Jennings has often ceded passing-down snaps to the likes of Judon and Joshua Uche. In the 2024 preseason, a possible harbinger of his workload to come, Jennings actually played more snaps as a pass-rusher than a run-defender – 16 snaps to 13 in three games. He even dropped into coverage on one snap. It’s a sign that the team’s confidence is growing in Jennings as a more well-rounded linebacker.
“I think he’s really elevated his game to the point that he’s a guy that could be an every-down player for us,” said Patriots outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins. “You understand why this guy’s a dominant run player: physical, great technique, so consistent with his technique in the run game. But then, to be able to add pass-rush to it, to add maybe coverage in space to that … he’s been here a while, he’s made his impact here, but he just keeps growing, and he keeps adding tools to the toolbox. It’s been great to see.”
MORE… Patriots Notebook: Offensive line gets big-time test out of the gate
Putting aside the pure football, the Patriots are also losing a big-time presence and bundle of energy with the departure of Judon. But his edge often overshadowed that of Jennings, who brings an uncommon level of intensity to the field, the kind that could win over unaware fans when they watch him play more than ever in 2024.
“It’s just how I play the game,” Jennings said. “I feel like I’m a dawg. I take that mentality to every play.”
It remains to be seen exactly how the Patriots deploy their linebackers, and how the workloads and roles evolve over the course of the season. But whenever Jennings is on the field, it’ll be hard for opponents to contain him – and possibly harder for viewers to take their eyes off him.
Jennings and the Patriots take on the Bengals on Sunday at Paycor Stadium, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET. We’ll have full coverage of the game on 98.5 The Sports Hub, plus the Sunday Kickoff show with Alex Barth and Cerrone Battle from 8-10 a.m., Patriots Preview from 10-1, and postgame from 4-7.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
Patriots Notebook: Offensive line gets big-time test out of the gate
Offensive line remains arguably the biggest concern of all for the New England Patriots – and they’re about to let us know just how concerned we should be.
If the Pats can hold their own in pass protection during Sunday’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, it’ll be a promising sign after a not-so-promising summer. If they can’t, the worries crystallize. They become more real than ever.
The Bengals boast a formidable 1-2 punch off the edge in Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. Hendrickson, a Pro-Bowler three seasons running, is particularly fearsome. He logged 17.5 sacks in 2023, tied for second-most in the NFL, and finished 10th among all edge defenders with 79 total pressures (via Pro Football Focus). The Patriots are projected to counter Hendrickson with Chukwuma Okorafor at left tackle, but could also deploy a tight end for extra blocking help.
“All those guys up front do a good job,” head coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday on the Bengals defense. “They’re aggressive. They bring players from all over. You can sit there and say ‘It’s always these four guys coming,’ but that’s not always the case.
“Trey [Hendrickson] has everything you want in a defensive end. He has a great motor and great technique. Over the last few years, he’s put up big numbers. He’s definitely a target for us [to watch out for].”
Mayo indicated that the Patriots’ starting offensive line will be “some form” of what they put on the field in the final preseason game. It won’t be the entire line, as starting center David Andrews didn’t play, and should make a massive difference at that spot.
But Okorafor struggled at left tackle, especially with procedural penalties. Not only does he need to correct the mistake of lining up improperly, he will be tasked with blocking one of the league’s best pass-rushers. He has the support of starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett, as he should. Protecting Brissett will be especially important when considering that the Patriots ostensibly want to keep rookie Drake Maye marinating on the sidelines a little longer before they’re ready to put him on the field.
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Accomplishing that certainly won’t be easy, right out of the gate. But there’s a job to be done. No turning back, now.
“I know that’s the big question about us: what’s the offensive line situation? I think that’s the cool part about this league and this game. Everybody can have all these questions, but you’ve still got to go line up and do it,” Brissett said Wednesday. “I think those guys understand that. They understand that task. I feel very confident with this plan and how we’re going to attack the defense, but also [how they’re going to] help us protect the quarterback and the running back, and obviously, pushing the ball down the field and things like that.
“I feel very confident that those guys are locking in on the plan, ironing out the details and I’m excited for them to really make their impact on this team because it starts with them. I know what they are capable of, and I’m excited for them to show, I guess, all of these questions about them.”
Read below for more from this week’s Patriots Notebook…
Henry’s Return
As concerning as the Patriots’ offensive performance was for much of the preseason, it’s important to note that they never had arguably their most important pass-catcher. Tight end Hunter Henry sat out all three August games and missed much of training camp with what we now know is a foot injury. The good news, however, is that Henry was present at Wednesday’s practice and was later listed as a full participant on the first injury report of the season. And that’s simply a huge development for a Patriots offense that utilizes the tight ends heavily and in all situations. Henry will be counted on to make chunk catches down the seam and be a reliable red zone target for Brissett. “We’ve still got a lot of growth to do and need a good week of practice, but I feel like we had a good camp,” Henry said Wednesday. “We have a lot of pieces. I’m excited to go out there and compete with these guys at every single position. I’m excited to go out there and compete with the O-line, excited to go out there and compete with Jacoby.” If the Patriots have any hope of pulling the upset, Henry will need to be a key factor in it.
Hunter Henry (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Going ‘Gonzo’
Jul 24, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) walks to the practice field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Expectations are low for the Patriots this season, but if they end up exceeding them, second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez will likely be a big reason for it.
Gonzalez had a shaky start to training camp, coming off a season-ending shoulder injury. But the sophomore hasn’t lost any of the size, quickness, or fluidity that made him a high draft pick. He has often been maligned for his calm demeanor, a sharp contrast to the loudness of many top NFL cornerbacks, but that should not be mistaken for a lack of confidence.
He projected plenty of that when he spoke with reporters on Wednesday. That better translate to the field for him, in a hurry. He’s certain to match up against a top-flight NFL receiver on Sunday against the Bengals, whether it’s Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. Chase returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, but even if he plays, our money’s on Higgins to draw Gonzalez in coverage, as the Pats double-team Chase with their second cornerback and safety help.
“They got the two-headed monster over there,” Gonzalez said of Chase and Higgins. “What [Higgins] brings to the table is another complete, full receiver. He can run all his routes. He can go up and make contested catches. Great receiver.”
Gonzalez is going to have his hands full, either way. It may only be Week 1, but his performance against the Bengals’ top targets should serve as a litmus test for his second season.
A New Undrafted Streak
Carolina Panthers tight end Jordan Matthews (81) stiff arms New England Patriots safety Dell Pettus (34) during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The Patriots broke a long-standing team streak in 2023, after no undrafted rookies stuck on the 53-man roster to begin the season. But a new streak is underway in 2024, thanks to rookie safety Dell Pettus, the only undrafted player to make the team out of camp.
This wasn’t forced. It was no fluke. Pettus made a real impact in team drills for most of camp, especially after the full pads went on, and has a chance to be an asset against both the run and the pass for the Patriots defense. He’ll start out as mainly a special teams player, as he develops behind an experienced and talented group of safeties. He’s not taking his opportunity to play at the highest level for granted, but he’s also doing his best to stay grounded and focus on the job he’s been assigned.
“I definitely understand the weight of the situation,” Pettus told 985TheSportsHub.com. “I’m just trying not to make it out to be bigger than it is. I feel comfortable with my role going into this week. I’m just trying to treat it like another football game. Definitely excited to play, get to Week 1, start the season off.”
Pettus may have trouble seeing the field on defense early on, with Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers set to play major roles once again. But he showed enough promise in camp that if his number is called, he could be more than just the “next man up.”
Stopping The Run
Washington Commanders quarterback Jeff Driskel (16) runs the ball against New England Patriots defensive tackle Sam Roberts (96) and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (8) during a preseason game at Commanders Field. (Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
The Patriots no doubt have their share of weaknesses, holes, and question marks, but they should certainly be good at run defense. If not, elite.
New England allowed a league-low 3.3 yards per carry in 2023, and bring back a number of key figures to defend on the ground, including nose tackle Davon Godchaux and middle linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. Anfernee Jennings is an excellent edge-setter, while Dugger and Peppers consistently make plays around the line of scrimmage. While pass defense remains key to success in the NFL, an inability to stop the run can sink a defense by itself. If the Pats can hang their hat on anything, it’ll be their ability to stuff runs and force third-and-long situations
The Bengals will present a different group of running backs than in past matchups, with new addition Zack Moss and second-year pro Chase Brown leading the way on the ground. But the Patriots are well-equipped to handle that challenge.
“Dynamic group,” Bentley said Wednesday. “Zack, Chase, all those kinds of guys, they all bring something different, they’re not all the same kind of running back. So, just noticing who’s out there on the field, they’re both dynamic runners, hard-nosed, downhill kind of running backs, which you like to have in an offense. It’s going to be great to go against those guys.”
