The NFL world continues to tip-toe through the quiet part of the offseason as the New England Patriots officially return for training camp in less than three weeks.
So before the Fourth of July festivities begin, let’s get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
When you look at defensive players added and released, there seems to be a theme of improving pass rush and pass defense at the expense of stopping the run. Barmore and Williams could be great penetrators but have struggled against the run. Tonga appears to be the only sub run stuffer. Smaller, faster linebackers cover better but lack the run stopping skills of a Bentley. Not sure who will play safety but additions are more.coverage types than Dugger who plays better close to the line. Could be exciting, hard to criticize speed and burst, but will they be vulnerable against a strong rushing offense? - maxiedp
The run defense up the middle is definitely on the list of question marks at this stage of things. Khyiris Tonga hasn’t played more than 36 percent of a team’s defensive snaps over his first four seasons. He will now be tasked as the top rotational nose tackle behind Christian Barmore and Milton Williams. They also made it a priority to get more athletic along the second level at the expense of downhill run defenders like Ja’Whaun Bentley.
The biggest reason for optimism remains the aforementioned Barmore and Williams, however. Beyond breaking out as a pass rusher in 2023, Barmore also had a career-year as a run defender (40 run stops) as he became a true three-down threat. Williams was also one of the league’s most efficient run defenders in 2023 before taking on a more hyper-focused pass rush role in Philadelphia’s defense last season.
Getting Williams to return to his ’23 levels against the run in an expanded role this season is among the objectives for defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. The return of Barmore — and addition of strong run defender Harold Landry along the edge — should be noticeable additions in the run game regardless, though.
How are the Pats going to defend against passes to big slot receivers and long TE this year? Marcus Jones is 5’8”. Who amongst the LB has the length and speed to shut down a 6’6” TE? - WannaBePatsGM
I would not completely discount Marcus Jones in the discussion. He’s a sticky coverage corner who has shown plenty of fight and compete at his size against taller receivers. Still, though, you can’t teach height. It has been intriguing to see the 6-foot-1 Alex Austin work into the slot at times during the spring.
We could see Austin factor into the equation moving forward while they will continue to play plenty of big nickel packages with three safeties.
Tush push: 1) do you expect to see this employed by McD in short yardage situations, and do we have the O-line to make it happen? 2) With a lessened emphasis on a run-stuffing D-line and lighter LBs, will other offenses just truck us over when using the Tush Push? 3) How the heck do you stop the play anyway other than with a behemoth nose tackle and interior linemen?
The Patriots don’t project to have the biggest interior offensive line outside of Mike Onwenu and Drake Maye isn’t the thickest quarterback either. I wonder if they just stick with QB sneaks.
I think teams that run it will run it no matter what the defensive personnel looks like.
Don’t let the offense get into 3rd- and 4th-and-short.
Most mock drafts have Patriots selecting a receiver. Wouldn’t it be wiser to select a right tackle to eventually replace an aging player? - HB47
We’re doing mock drafts already? But here we go. Depending how this staff views Caedan Wallace’s future, the long-term fit at right tackle is definitely still a need with Morgan Moses entering his age 34 season. But, I’d still put a top-tier wide receiver and pass rusher among their top needs in the 2026 NFL Draft at this point.
In the spirit of 28 Years Later finally appearing on the big screen last week, do you prefer big hordes of slow moving, shuffling zombies or small groups of fast-moving, kinetic zombies? - NewEnglandWhalers
Slow moving. But give me a few good weapons out of a Mystery Box and either are light work.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following@iambrianhines and@PatsPulpit as well.