Patriots positional rankings: defensive end

Throughout the month of June, PatriotsMaven will be ranking each player at their respective positions. This series intends to provide a good basis on who should make the 53-man roster and who might not. Today, let's take a look at the defensive end spot.

Max McAuliffe | Jun 15, 2019

Patriots positional rankings: defensive end /

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - To start off this article, it is important to stress that with Jamie Collins being back with the New England Patriots and a current lack for a clear-cut, number one guy at the tackle position, this defense might play a lot more 3-4 looks. A 2-4 might even be in the equation, according to Erik Scalavino of Patriots.com.

These 3-4, 2-4 looks will, of course, impact what is asked of the defensive end position, especially in 2-4 looks which relies heavily on the number one guy, Michael Bennett, who plays outside and inside just like Trey Flowers did.

Some more pass-rush driven, edge defender type players might have an overwhelmingly difficult time this August trying to make the team. Players like D'onta Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, and Collins specialize in rushing the passer. Therefore, less proven defensive ends find themselves not just competing with players from their own position for a roster spot, but these edge rushing linebackers as well.

In a year with such a talented roster and seemingly a new Bill Belichick philosophy with less emphasis on this position, look for the Patriots to unload the axe on this position come cut days.

9) Nick Thurman

Thurman is a 6-foot-4, 295-pound end out of Houston, who has already bounced around the league a little bit. Last year in his rookie season he was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Texans. In four preseason games with them, he recorded 11 tackles. He would later be cut by them, to sign with the Buccaneers in April of this year. Obviously, Nick would get cut again, now signing with the Patriots.

Verdict: Nick has a big hill to climb here in New England if he wants to make the team. Unfortunately, this year will be tough to get the roster down to 53 men. There is so much talent on this roster and so much talent in front of him at his position. Thurman projects to be a practice squad player at most.

8) Trent Harris

Photo from Jason Vinlove - USA TODAY Sports

Trent Harris made last year's team as an undrafted free agent out of Miami. He is a very sound end with great technique. He is a hard worker and a versatile player, who did not see the field in the regular season (due to being released to start the season last year). However, Harris had a strong preseason last year, where he recorded 10 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. The big problem with Harris is primarily his size, along with his lack of athleticism.

Verdict: Much like Thurman, it is hard to see Harris carving out a role here in New England. Harris looks to be on the outside looking in and looks to be at most a practice squad player.

7) Ufomba Kamalu

Photo from Shanna Lockwood - USA TODAY Sports

The intriguing 6-foot-6, 295-pound Ufomba Kamalu has had very limited opportunities with the Patriots so far. He was sitting on New England's practice squad last season until Josh Gordon was shut down for the year. With an open roster spot, Kamalu was called up in Gordon's absence. He recorded just one tackle in the last two regular season games for the Patriots. Kamalu has started in the past and was a rotational piece for a talented defensive line in Houston. With all that being said, the bad news for Ufomba is that his practice squad eligibility has now expired and his only chance to stay a Patriot would be to make the final 53-man squad.

Verdict: It would be really difficult for Kamalu to make the final 53 roster. That being said, he can also play some defensive tackle, which might be valuable to New England this season. Kamalu has a long way to go and certainly a make-or-break next few months.

6) Keionta Davis

Keionta Davis is another potential practice squad player. A roster spot seems unlikely for him at this very moment. Although, the Patriots currently have him above Chase Winovich and Derek Rivers on the depth chart. This is a sign of encouragement for someone who made the roster to start the last season by beating out Derek Rivers on the depth chart. Davis performed very well in the first regular season game against the Texans, playing 35 snaps and getting good pressure off the edge and a quarterback hit. Davis worked very hard last year and proved himself to make the roster. He will have to do the same this year as well.

Verdict: At most, there are five defensive end slots available (and that is kind of pushing it). Davis will likely just miss the cut on a team with some very talented pass rushers. Davis could definitely go to the practice squad and be a valuable piece there. His is the strongest candidate of the bunch to make the practice squad.

5) Chase Winovich

Everyone was excited to see this wild Michigan man get selected in the third round of this year's draft. Chase Winovich, while slightly undersized, provides an extremely high motor and will give an incredible amount of effort into each play. Winovich is a measured, strategic pass rusher that will infuse a lot of energy and into this Patriots defense when on the field.

Now, that all sounds great, but Winovich has his downsides too.

His size is one hindrance, but another is his athleticism. If Winovich's athleticism were a tad better, he would probably be playing outside linebacker in the NFL. With this conundrum, it is more than likely that he might have a tough time adjusting to the NFL at first.

Verdict: With that being said, Winovich will be subbed in during situations that de facto defensive coordinator Bill Belichick deems appropriate. A bigger role for Winovich will come with time and familiarity.

4) Derek Rivers

The summer of Derek Rivers will be a very intriguing one for sure. Next to the term "make-or-break year" in the dictionary is the picture you see above. Rivers was the team's first 2017 draft pick, selected in the third round, as New England traded their first pick for Brandin Cooks and their second for Kony Ealy.

The Patriots drafting him with their first 2017 draft pick created unrealistic expectations on Rivers. Third-rounders do not always pan out and they certainly do not usually become instant contributors. Nonetheless, Rivers has largely been less than what New England bargained for. Reports came out during offseason workouts that Rivers has improved greatly to the point where he was taking first-team reps with the defense.

Verdict: This year could be a career-changer for Rivers. If he continues to improve and forces Belichick to carry five defensive ends this season, Rivers will make the team.

3) John Simon

Photo from Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports

John Simon was a great late-season addition to this team last year. He was a good contributor in the playoffs and provided great value for his cap hit last year of $1.1 million. Now, he has a brand new contract and is looking to play more in New England. Simon has been seeing reps as the number two guy behind Bennett in camp early on.

Verdict: Simon is a good fit in the Patriots system. His job seems pretty intact. Unless things take a turn for the worst, Simon should be competing with Wise for the spot opposite of Bennett.

2) Deatrich Wise Jr.

The verdict on John Simon kind of revealed the last two spots. Wise, now in his third year with the team, has had a good two-year stint so far. He has been steadily progressing here in New England and has outshined his counterpart Rivers, whom he was drafted apart from. While Wise does not make much noise, he has shown that he is deserving of the number two spot and the current depth chart reflects that. Wise has the most experience in the Patriots system out of all the defensive ends.

Verdict: Wise should beat out Simon for the number two spot on the depth chart and will play opposite of Michael Bennett this season. His familiarity and his hard work this August should give him the upper hand.

1) Michael Bennett

Make no mistake, this number one spot is not up for debate. Michael Bennett, the 33-year-old brother of former Patriot Martellus Bennett, means business. Michael is a force to be reckoned with in the NFL and possesses all the moves necessary to ruin a quarterback's day. While he has shown some signs of regression since his Seattle days, he still plays at a high level and will bring the heat to any offense he lines up against.

Verdict: Bennett will get the lion's share of defensive end reps and be the clear-cut, number one guy. Expect New England to also use him much like Trey Flowers, where they pushed him inside on occasion.

Published Jun 15, 2019

MAX MCAULIFFE

Max serves as an intern journalist on PatriotMaven.