Between now and the scheduled April 23rd opening of the 2020 NFL Draft, WEEI.com will take a position-by-position look at the prospects in this year's class, both in terms of a general overview as well as from a Patriots perspective.
Defensive edge
Supply-and-Demand Overview: The Patriots edge has been a varied group over the last two years since losing mainstay Trey Flowers as a high-priced free agent. It's included some contributions from draft picks like Deatrich Wise and Chase Winovich. Versatile veterans like Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and John Simon have chipped in. And there was the failed Michael Bennett trade. There is no question there has been a lack of a consistent, reliable presence on the edge. It's certainly an area the team could target in the 2020 NFL Draft and is a crop of prospects that offers both high-end talent and impressive depth. From an elite top pick like Chase Young on through middle-round options who bring both questions and obvious upside, the edge position may be one of the more well-rounded groups in this year's draft class.
Top Prospect: Chase Young, Ohio State. Young might very well be the best overall prospect in the draft with the fewest questions. Young has the measurables, the production, the skills and obvious Pro Bowl upside. He should be off the board by the No. 2 overall pick and should be making life difficult on opposing NFL offenses for the next decade.
Overrated Prospect: K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU. Despite bringing a lot of questions, Chaisson is considered by some to be a first-round talent, maybe even a high selection on opening night. He has an injury history with a 2018 ACL. He has limited production. He got some of that production off twists and stunts rather than just beating blockers. He's a little undersized. Sure Chaisson has upside, but he also could come up well short of the hype and expectations that he's generating.
Underrated Prospect: Jonathan Greenard/Jabari Zuniga, Florida. Both former Gators offer versatile NFL talent as edge options. Both seem to have plenty of intangible qualities that teams look for. Neither is going to be an early pick, but both could have successful NFL careers ahead of them if they end up in the right situation.
Wild Card: Terrell Lewis, Alabama. Lewis has a ton of potential, but after missing nearly two full seasons to injury during his Tide career must prove he can stay healthy and live up to his ability. Lewis has the size, athleticism and ability to be a factor player on the edge of an NFL defense. The injuries, just four career starts and limited production will leave Lewis as a mid-round pick. His talent is probably better than that. Risk vs. reward.
Possible Patriots: A.J. Epenesa, Iowa; Terrell Lewis, Alabama; Julian Okwara, Notre Dame; Jabari Zuniga, Florida.
The Patriots need youthful potential on the front seven, including on the edge. All of these guys would provide impact upside, led by the likely first-round pick Epenesa. He may not have elite measurables, but he is a physical player with a good motor and technique who could fill the Trey Flowers-type role immediately. If Lewis can stay healthy he can be a much better pro than what he produced at Alabama with somewhat unfulfilled playmaking ability. Okwara and Zuniga are mid-round options with starting potential. At the very least they should be rotational, complementary contributors.
Estimated chances the Patriots take an EDGE at No. 23: 29
Estimated chances the Patriots take an EDGE at some point in the 2020 NFL Draft: 89
