Patriots free agency preview - Need an 'edge'

Part 6 in a series on free agency, which begins March 10 at Noon. Today's focus is on defensive end.

Cornerback
Interior defensive line
Safety
Wide receivers
Running backs

It's harder to find things the Patriots did well last season than the opposite. For instance, the pass rush was virtually non-existent. About a month in, it should have been posted on the side of a milk carton, and it never got better. Was that coaching? Covington et al. didn't help the cause, but let's be real: The team's inability to affect opposing quarterbacks was about talent or a lack thereof. 

To wit, the Pats signed Yannick Ngakoue — whom I warned you about — and ran him out there for six weeks at a decent clip. He recorded zero sacks. It wasn't his fault. Ngakoue's cooked like the turkey in 'Christmas Vacation.' Josh Uche couldn't find the field and was traded to KC, where he piled up one healthy scratch after another (to think I wanted to pay him two off-seasons ago. I was wrrr...wrrr...wrrrrong). Matthew Judon also got dealt and looked like a shell of his former self. That was arguably Eliot Wolf's best move, although he let that situation linger to the point where his coach had to talk Judon down this summer in front of everyone. That wasn't a good look. None of it was. 

Keion White was the lone bright spot, but he's not at the point of his development/career where he can carry a pass rush. He may never get there - that wasn't his profile coming out of Georgia Tech - but White did show signs of dominance over the first three weeks of the season (5 of his career-high 6 sacks/5 QB hurries). His final month-plus was subpar, and he was vocal about his role, the state of the defense, and the team in general. That could be a step toward being a leader. Or, maybe White's just another in the long line of me-first guys who have populated this team in recent years. Time will tell.

On the opposite edge, Anfernee Jennings was largely a picture of consistency. He is rock solid against the run and not good at getting after the quarterback (8.9% pass-rush win rate. White led the regulars at 12.7%). Jennings is a good #2 edge, but one who should come off the field on obvious passing situations. 

Deatrich Wise saw his snap count drop for a third straight season. While the nerd numbers say he was more efficient as a pass rusher than in recent years, he didn't make many positive, impactful plays. Wise turns 31 at the end of July and is set to be a free agent. 

Signed for 2025:

White (2025 cap hit 2.12 million/dead cap $2.34 mil) 

Jennings (2025 cap hit $5.35 million/signing bonus $1 mil/1750K roster bonus/$225K workout bonus/Incentive (LTBE) $1.5 million/dead cap $3.35 mil) 

Titus Leo (2025 cap hit $960K)

Monty Rice (2025 cap hit $1.17 million)

WANT TO WRITE A BIG CHECK?

1. Josh Sweat: You saw what he did in the Super Bowl, and that might have been him at his best. But the trait you like about Sweat the most is his consistency. Since becoming a regular in 2021, he's recorded 9, 13, 7, and 8 sacks, has 38 QB hits and 136 pressures. Who wouldn't take that kind of production off the edge? Of course, there is a counter to that. Sweat has never been the best player on the Eagles' defense. Or second, third, or fourth. It's hard to forecast how he'll do as someone the opposing teams will game plan for. But the soon-to-be 28-year-old is talented, and if the Pats desire a big-ticket item, they could do a lot worse. That said (or written), I didn't get the sense during my time at the Combine that the Pats were leaning in this direction. 

PFF estimates a 3-year deal worth $54 million ($32 million guaranteed). Spotrac projects 3 for $56.4.

SO, YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE'S CHANCE?

1. Chase Young: When he entered the league as the 2d overall pick out of Ohio State, Young had superstar written all over him. Then his knee went, and he has never found that same rarefied air. However, the 25-year-old has been better than you think, had a 14.6% pressure rate for the Saints, and finished the year with 66 hurries this past season. Both numbers would have led the Pats by miles and miles. Having a motivated and healthy Young on one side opposite White on the other would give that DL some juice.

PFF projects a 2-year contract worth $35 million ($20 million guaranteed).

2. Malcolm Koonce: Suffered a knee injury just before the season-opener and didn't play this past season after a monster 2023. Koonce was also just a bit player in his first two seasons, so was 2023 a sign of where he's headed, or was that a one-off? He's also 6'2", a little shorter than your prototypical pass rusher.

PFF estimated a 2-year deal worth #37.5 million ($20 million guaranteed). Spotrac is at 2 years for $40 million. I don't see it being that high, and if it is, don't bother.

SPECIALIST

1. Azeez Ojulari: He's not yet 25 years old and knows how to get after the QB. He had five sacks over a three-game stretch this season after Kayvon Thibodeaux exited the lineup, but the moment he returned, Ojulari went back to a specialist role. There should be more to his game than that, but he is inconsistent as a run defender. He's also dealt with some injuries, but a Jennings/Ojulari combo platter could be effective.

PFF estimates a one-year deal for $5 million ($4.25 million guaranteed). Spotrac values him at 2 years for $15.13 million.

Others of note: Haason Reddick, Dennis Gardeck, Chauncey Golston, Baron Browning