Today’s question: Will New England’s No. 1 defense continue to be elite, even against a much tougher 2020 schedule?
Hannable: While the unit has the potential to be very good again, it's hard to say it will be elite.
Not only is the schedule a lot more difficult, the defense lost a number of important players this offseason in Duron Harmon, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins, and then replaced them with rookies. While these players selected high in the draft have the potential to make impacts down the road, it's nearly impossible to expect them to contribute at the same level as these veterans did last season. A lot will be expected from linebackers Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings, but they are just rookies.
Once again, the defense will be expected to lead the team even if Cam Newton is healthy at quarterback. But, to expect the unit to lead the league in points allowed for a second straight season doesn't seem realistic at this point given the players lost, the competition that will be faced and also a number of key contributors getting a year older.
Hart: Nope. Sorry. The Patriots defense built up its stats and reputation against questionable competition and overmatched QBs last fall. Then, with the season on the line, the unit couldn’t get the job done. Now the unit returns without a few key offseason personnel losses, notably Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Duron Harmon. Oh, and the schedule for 2020 is a much different beast than it was a year ago.
New England will deal with elite quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes in the first month of action. Beyond that the schedule is littered with capable QBs leading offenses with plenty of talented weapons for Patriots defenders to match up with. That said, there is certainly still plenty of proven, veteran talent on the Patriots defense. Stephon Gilmore remains a true No. 1 corner and leader of a secondary that should remain the strength of the unit. But there are legitimate questions in terms of run defense, pass rush and linebacker play that must be answered. Chances are the unit doesn’t play as well this fall and faces much more challenging competition.
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