Though a great deal of focus has gone toward the Patriots' offensive struggles in this young 2022 season, the defense has certainly done its job through two games, holding the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers to an average of just 17 points per game (good for eighth in the league).
So it's not surprising that the team's highest-graded player on Pro Football Focus would come from that side of the ball.
You just probably weren't expecting that player to be Deatrich Wise Jr., were you?
Nonetheless, there he is sitting atop the Patriots' overall PFF rankings by a wide margin with a grade of 89.6. The next highest-graded player on the team (though sample-size should be taken into account): Kendrick Bourne (80.3).
What's more: the sixth-year veteran and team captain currently ranks among the best edge defenders in the league through the first two games of the season. His PFF grade places him ninth overall at his position sandwiched between Von Miller and Jadeveon Clowney -- Matthew Judon ranks 50th by comparison -- and he's been a top-five run defender among edges, racking up five stops already.
Before the season, Wise didn't garner nearly as many headlines up front as the likes of Christian Barmore, Matthew Judon or fellow edge defenders Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche. In fact, he appeared more likely to contribute as an interior defender rather than an edge for a while, though he's always been able to do both.
Once preseason and joint practices began, though, Wise slid out more frequently to the edge opposite Judon and immediately looked at home as an edge-setter against the run and pass-rusher. He and Barmore are tied for second on the team behind Judon with five pressures apiece.
After an off-season of questions about the depth at edge and whether or not the Patriots needed veteran help (like Trey Flowers) on the outside, Wise has answered those questions emphatically. Not only that, but he's been one of the best players on the entire team.
Of course, you'd like to see one of the Patriots' stars, like Judon, Barmore or Mac Jones, claim that honor for themselves at some point. Otherwise, this team won't accomplish anything meaningful in 2022.
But knowing New England has found a bona fide answer at a position of importance in Wise absolutely can't hurt.
