The Patriots improved dramatically on the edge by adding Matthew Judon and bring back Kyle Van Noy to go along with Chase Winovich and Deatrich Wise.
While we’ll have to wait and see exactly how Bill Belichick utilizes Judon, it’s safe to safe Van Noy should seamlessly slide right back into the role he thrived in during his first stint in Foxborough. Wise provides solid depth and starter ability.
The wildcard on the edge is Chase Winovich. The team’s 2019 third round selection out of Michigan saw his play time reduced at times last year, which was debatable given his promise as a pass rusher. But his ceiling just might be that. Winovich has had trouble setting the edge in the early stages of his career, and shots of him appearing to be arguing on the sidelines with coaches doesn’t help.
Regardless of what the team has planned for Winovich in 2021, assuming he is on the team, the edge will almost certainly continue to be addressed later this month, whether it be via the draft or an undrafted free agent.
Notre Dame’s Daelin Hayes is a late round prospect who would fit right in.
Daelin Hayes – Notre Dame
Week 1 Age: 23
Size: 6’4” 261 lbs
2020 Stats: 17 total tackles, 3 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles
Projected Round: 6
Had Hayes entered the draft last year, we might be talking about him as a mid-round pick. After a strong sophomore season in which he logged three sacks and 30 tackles – including 6.5 for loss – as well as a fast start to the 2019 season, a season-ending shoulder injury derailed those hopes.
Nonetheless, Hayes finished his Notre Dame career on a high note, earning honorable mention All-ACC accolades and helping the Fighting Irish go 10-2 en route to the College Football Playoff.
Hayes has a powerful frame with a violent punch at the point of attack. He went up against top competition at the Senior Bowl in January, and showed off his ability to fire off at the snap at the line of scrimmage.
Here he is against North Dakota State’s Dillon Radunz, who is regarded as a second-to-third round pick.
He completely manhandles the tight end here.
Hayes showed some versatility for the Irish on defense through the ability to line up over tackle and also kick inside on passing downs. He has some athleticism in his tool box in addition to packing a punch.
This quickness, which allows him to beat the pulling guard, will catch teams’ eyes this spring.
Off the field, you’d be hard pressed to find someone in this class with higher character than Hayes. Voted team captain for his senior season, he also became active in the South Bend community, helping him win the school’s Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award and make him a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Is he a fit for the Patriots? Hayes doesn’t really have any elite traits, and he has below-average length for an edge defender. He also isn’t going to out run any quarterbacks who leave the pocket. He’s also had multiple shoulder injuries dating back to high school.
However, Hayes is exactly the kind of guy the Patriots bring in. He may be most effective as an early down rotational player, but his floor is a strong depth piece with leadership ability. The Patriots emphasized bringing back their team captains this offseason in David Andrews, Lawrence Guy and James White. It’s no secret the organization values these traits. Hayes could be the latest on a long list of former college team captains brought in to play to his strengths and help build culture in the locker room.