Depth Chart: DE Christian Barmore, DE Lawrence Guy, NT Davon Godchaux, DE Henry Anderson, DE Deatich Wise, DE Sam Roberts, NT Carl Davis, DE LaBryan Ray, NT Bill Murray, DE Jeremiah Pharms

Player to Watch: Christian Barmore

Breakdown: The Patriots defensive line had its ups and downs last season. They played well at times but they also struggled against the run and it showed, especially down the stretch. Bill Belichick shifted to focusing on more 30 fronts last season and he built the front seven to be more stout against the run by controlling gaps. Unfortunately it did not play out that way. The Patriots need to be better upfront defensively. The improvement starts inside at nose tackle. Free agent signee Davon Godchaux struggled to get acclimated to the Patriots defense and it showed in his play. Godchaux was not the two gap force he was expected to be when signed his two year deal last spring. The Patriots will need Godchaux and veteran Carl Davis to control gaps and allow their defensive ends to take advantage of single blocks. Absorbing double teams will also allow the linebackers to fill or spill and make tackles. Second year defensive end Christian Barmore looks like a future star. He is disruptive on the snap and does a good job of recreating the line of scrimmage. Barmore also plays with good strength at the point of attack. He wins with power and speed. If he takes the next step and continues to play at the level he is capable of, he is a future pro bowler. The Patriots need to get something out of Henry Anderson. The former Jet spent most of last season on I.R but when healthy, he has the length and the power necessary to play on early downs and stop the run. Anderson will have to compete and earn a roster spot in what is a crowded defensive line room.

Deatrich Wise is versatile and can play in 30 and 40 fronts based on the package. The veteran defensive end will be counted on to generate a consistent pass rush something this team desperately from some other than Matthew Judon. Rookies Sam Roberts and LaBryan Ray both have a legitimate shot at making the team and being a part of the defensive line rotation. Both are long and can play the five technique defensive end in 30 fronts and kick inside to defensive tackle in 40 fronts. Bill Murray is a similar player but not as athletic. He can play mostly inside. Murray is tenacious and fundamentally sound. His ability to absorb blocks and anchor at the point of attack makes him a player the team values and that is why he can possibly break camp on the team in some capacity. Jeremiah Pharms recently competed in the USFL. He is a 40 front five technique defensive end who can play in sub packages. He cannot kick inside in however which is something the Patriots want out of their defensive lineman.

Final Thoughts: The Patriots defensive scheme is designed so that linebackers, edge players and safeties can make all the tackles. They want their defensive lineman to control the line of scrimmage and absorb blocks. Outside of Barmore and Wise, the rest of this defensive line is built to do that. If the Patriots can get more out of this group in terms of controlling the line of scrimmage, this defense has a chance to be very good. It starts with this group. They need to be good or else the scheme doesn’t work.