Listen live to weei 93.7:
We’re back with another edition of Patriots Depth Projection - a new article series here at WEEI.com where over the next several weeks leading up to training camp, I'll be taking an in-depth look at each of New England’s ten position rooms. As a reminder, here’s what we’re doing:
- Previewing the room
- Naming trade candidates
- Predicting highs and lows
- Projecting who makes the team
- Grading each room heading into 2023
Next on our list is New England’s defensive line room:
The Rundown:
This room remains unscathed from a season ago with Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy (for now), Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale, Carl Davis, Sam Roberts, and Damarcus Mitchell all returning to Foxborough.
Wise Jr., who was voted a team captain for the first time in 2022, followed up the honor with a career year by tallying highs in sacks (7.5) and tackles (59).
After playing in all 17 games for the Patriots as a rookie, Christian Barmore dealt with a knee injury in 2022 and spent a month on injured reserve. Now healthy, the 2021 second-round pick could be primed for a breakout season heading into his third year with the club.
Damarcus Mitchell or Sam Roberts won’t be every down players by any means, but will each have an opportunity to either carve out a role on special teams or become a practice squad candidate.
Who we’re sleeping on:
Daniel Ekuale.
After serving a two-game suspension to begin last season, the sixth-year defensive tackle returned to the lineup in week three and played in nine total games for the Patriots.
14 tackles, two sacks, and two run stuffs later, New England decided to re-sign Ekuale to a two-year, $3.4 million contract this March.
Despite a PED ban during his time in Cleveland and the unknown suspension mentioned above, Bill Belichick and the Patriots continue to stick by the 2018 undrafted tackle out of Washington State. That tells me a) they like him and b) he's in their plans along the defensive front. He could shine with continued opportunity.
Surprise cut:
Carl Davis.
I had Davis off of my roster following last season’s training camp and he proved me wrong, making the team and playing sixteen games on the Patriots defensive front.
In 2023, he’ll have an uphill battle against me again. Don’t get me wrong, Davis has been a (relatively) important piece in New England’s defense and is a guy who Belichick and co. trust to clog up the middle - but with what Damarcus Mitchell gave them on special teams last season and a (likely) healthy Barmore, he could be a cut candidate come late August.
Also, FWIW, I have rookie Keion White listed as a linebacker despite being more of a hand-in-the-dirt EDGE rusher. Where the Patriots decide to use him will likely have an impact on Davis' fate as well.
Trade candidate:
Lawrence Guy.
Long-time Patriots defensive tackle Lawrence Guy, who, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, is believed to be looking for an adjustment to [his] contract,” was an OTA and minicamp holdout this preseason.
Guy’s current contract, a four-year deal with a base value of $11.5 million and a maximum value of $24 million, was the result of a “challenging negotiation” when agreed upon in the Spring of 2021, according to Reiss.
While the 33-year-old has been with New England since 2017 and was named a member of the Patriots all-2010s team, Belichick would likely have no problem trading him should they not come come to an agreement.
They could also outright cut bait with Guy. Per @PatsCap, if the Patriots were to release him, they’d save $2,573,529 in 2023 if a player with a $750K salary replaces him on the Top 51 list. They’d carry dead money of $250K in 2023 and 2024.
Full roster projection:
In: Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale, Damarcus Mitchell
Out: Carl Davis, Sam Roberts, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Grade heading into 2023:
B.
This will be pretty much the same room from a season ago and while not necessarily a strength of New England’s roster, will likely perform at or above expected for Jerod Mayo, Steve Belichick, and co.
Specialists are up next! Stay tuned for the rest of the Patriots Depth Projection series here at WEEI.com as we continue to count down the days (28) until training camp.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
Related
