We’ve reached the halfway point of our 2024 NFL Draft positional preview series. With all of the offensive positions covered (you can scroll to the bottom for links to those previews) it’s time to move from offense to defense.
Yes, there are in fact defensive players in this draft. Most of the attention around the New England Patriots in the pre-draft process has been related to the offensive side of the ball – and rightfully so given the way the offense has looked the last few years.
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At the same time, perhaps luckily for a Patriots team that has ranked towards the bottom half of the league on offense in three of the last four years, this is an offense-heavy draft. The talent in this class is as skewed to one side of the ball as it has been for any draft in recent memory, and it’s skewed towards offense.
Still, there are some secondary need on defense for the Patriots, which won’t be impossible to fill in this year’s class. Some of those needs come up front, in terms of defensive linemen and pass rushers.
At defensive tackle, the Patriots have multiple players entering contract years such as Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore. The same goes for their pass rush group, with Matthew Judon and Josh Uche both set to be free agents next year. Investing in Day 3 players who could be backup/special teams players this year then potentially grow into bigger roles at those positions down the road would make some sense.
Let’s highlight the names to know for the Patriots, and other top players at these positions in the draft.
First round
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 23: Dallas Turner #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Jordan Watkins #11 of the Mississippi Rebels during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Some speculate this year’s first round could see over 20 offensive players taken, which would be a modern era record. The 2004 draft saw exactly 20 offensive players selected, the only time the 20-mark has been hit since the NFL expanded to 32 teams in 2002.
Of the projected first-round defenders though, most are pass rushers. That group is highlighted by Dallas Turner of Alabama and Jared Verse of Florida State, who both could be the first defensive player taken overall. Other projected first-round pass rushers include Chop Robinson from Penn State, Laiatu Latu of UCLA, and Darius Robinson from Missouri.
There are also two true defensive tackles who could hear their names called in the first round – a rarity especially in such an offense-heavy draft. Byron Murphy from Texas and Jer’Zahn Newton from Illinois are both the kind of athletic, pass-rush-capable, three-down defensive tackles that have become more and more prevalent in the modern game. They’re both expected to go in the middle of or late in the first round.
Day 2 interior defenders
AUSTIN, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 30: T’Vondre Sweat #93 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after a tackle in the first against the Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Let’s get into the reach, but not unrealistic range for the Patriots to take a defender. If they feel they’ve done what they’ve needed in the top 50, or maybe even pick up and extra top 100 pick via a trade back, mixing in a defensive pick later on Day 2 might make sense.
The top player the Patriots may go for in this situation is arguably Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, who is currently projected to be a late second- or early third-round pick. However, his projection is a little tough to nail down because sometimes teams will be hesitant to draft oversized players due to durability and longevity concerns.
Sweat was the heaviest player to weigh in at the Combine, checking in at 6-foot-4, 366 pounds. He’s more than just a big body though. While he plays with the power expected of a player of his size he also has shown some nimble athleticism, which was highlighted by his goal line tight end role for the Longhorns (he caught a touchdown pass in the Big 12 Championship).
Even at the NFL level, teams won’t be able to single-block Sweat. He may never fill up the stat sheet himself, but he’ll occupy attention that will free up opportunities for others around him. That could set him up to be very successful as an early down defensive anchor. It’s a role that wouldn’t be new in New England. Vince Wilfork is a very lofty comparison, but the mechanics behind what Sweat could bring to the defense are similar.
If the Patriots went to go with a nose tackle, but don’t want to take one as high, McKinnley Jackson from Texas A&M could be an option later on Day 2, towards the end of the third round.
There are also some pass-rushing defensive tackles in this range, who could be Patriots targets if they’re worried about not being able to maintain Barmore. That group includes Braden Fiske from Florida State, Kris Jenkins from Michigan, Ruke Orhorhoro from Clemson, and Michael Hall from Ohio State.
Day 2 edge defenders
Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Bralen Trice (8) celebrates a safety against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
If Bill Belichick were still running the Patriots draft board, Bralen Trice from Washington would be a guy getting a lot more buzz to New England. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound edge-setter and team captain plays with tremendous strength, urgency, and discipline. He’s expected to go in the second round though, so that should be too early for the Patriots taking an edge player.
If they want a strong edge setter later on there are two defensive ends they could target on Day 3. Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus is more of a tweener at 6-foot-3, 283 pounds. He’s played both standing up and with his hand in the ground, but in the Patriots’ defensive system would likely do more of the latter. LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith could move the other way – he played mostly defensive tackle in college but could end up being a big, 3-4 early-down end at 6-foot-5, 306 pounds in a role like the one opened up by the departure of Lawrence Guy.
As for the pure outside, standup pass rushers? Chris Braswell from Alabama and Marshawn Kneeland from Western Michigan are the players to know in Round 2. Like so many Alabama defenders that have come through the draft in recent years, Braswell shows flashes of talent with good athleticism but doesn’t have a ton of reps on film, having been buried on the depth chart most of his career. Kneeland is a converted tight end who is a project player with great size.
Austin Booker from Kansas and Jonah Elliss from Utah wrap up the group on Day 2. Booker stood out at the Senior Bowl showing a very developed pass rush skill set. Elliss is a technically sound, high motor rusher who is more of a floor than a ceiling player, likely as a pass rush specialist.
Early Day 3 names to know
Nov 11, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Jalen Mayden (18) is tackled by Colorado State Rams defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara (8) during the second quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
We’ll kick off Day 3 with edge rushers, because it’s a realistic spot for the Patriots to address the position. Of the early Day 3 edge rushers, the top target for the Patriots may be Mohamed Kamara from Colorado State. Kamara is an experienced, high-energy rusher who never quits on plays. Sometimes that motor can get him into trouble, but last year he seemed to find a good balance with 13 sacks in 12 games. Being slightly undersized (6-foot-1, 248 pounds) and from a smaller school will push him down the board a bit but don’t let that fool you, he can play. Other standup rushers in this range are Adisa Isaac from Penn State and Gabriel Murphy from UCLA.
Defensive end prospects to target here are Mekhi Wingo from LSU and Justin Eboigbe from Alabama. Both were defensive tackles in college but would fit better as a 3-4 ends in the Patriots’ system.
At defensive tackle, DeWayne Carter is the kind of athletic, pass-rushing interior player the Patriots have targeted in recent years. Carter has 11 sacks and 22 tackles for loss over the last three years, and was a two-time team captain for Duke. He’s continued to build momentum with strong performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
The Patriots already have multiple such players such as Christian Barmore, Armon Watts, and Daniel Ekuale, but they’re all set to play on expiring contracts. Carter would give the spot some stability, at least in a depth sense, moving forward.
Mid-Day 3 names to know
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Christian defensive lineman Jalyx Hunt (DL34) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
As we move through the draft, it’s time to touch one of the most unique players in this draft. Jalyx Hunt enters the NFL as a pass-rushing linebacker from Houston Christian (formerly Houston Baptist), but it’s not quite that simple. Hunt began his career as a safety at Cornell, playing mostly a special teams role for three years.
He then transferred to HCU, bulked up, and started playing more on defense as a linebacker/defensive end. That culminated with his 2023 season, when he was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year and an All-American with 20.5 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks. He’s still very raw as a pass rusher given he’s only been doing it full-time for two years, but he has great athletic upside 6-foot-4, 252 pounds and has proven to be a smart, disciplined player.
The more ‘floor’ pass rush prospect in this range is Nelson Caesar from Houston. A two-year starter and team captain, he has shown an ability to overpower opposing tackles as a stand-up rusher at 6-foot-3, 254 pounds. That skillset was clear last season when he had 9.5 sacks, and carried over to the Senior Bowl.
Another Senior Bowl standout, Gabe Hall from Baylor, who is more of a hand-down rusher is also expected to go in this range. Hall is mostly a traits player who is still putting the tools together to be a consistent rusher. Myles Cole from Texas Tech is a similar player in this range.
As for pure defensive tackles, Jordan Jefferson from LSU is a pure early-down player who had a strong showing at the LSU pro day. He still has room to bulk up too, which makes him an interesting project.
Late Day 3 names to know
Oct 7, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Xavier Thomas (3) sacks Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Mitch Griffis (12) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
At this point in the draft the Patriots would mainly be looking for players with situational upside. With Josh Uche only signed to a one year deal, pure speed rushers would make sense to target. Xavier Thomas from Clemson is that kind of player. He’ll probably only be a third-down strong-side player in the NFL, but if that’s all the Patriots are looking for then this would be where to take him.
UConn defensive end Eric Watts fits more in the edge-setter category. At 6-foot-6, 274 pounds he’s an imposing figure, but needs to work on developing his game beyond his size and physicality.
UDFAs
Nov 11, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat (7) sacks Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) during the second quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Patriots bring in a couple of UDFA pass rushers in addition to any they take in the draft. Trajan Jeffcoat of Arkansas and Khalid Duke stand out as Patriots fits.
At defensive tackle, Justin Rogers from Auburn is one of the biggest players in the draft at 6-foot-3, 330 pounds. If the Patriots want nose tackle depth, he could be a target.
