The Patriots traded defensive end Chase Winovich yesterday to the Cleveland Browns for linebacker Mack Wilson. The trade is a fresh start for both players.

Winovich never really became the player the Patriots or their fans were hoping for when he was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He flashed potential at times but he was never a fit schematically.

Winovich amassed 85 tackles and 11 sacks in his three years in New England. Not bad considering the fact he was situational pass rusher and special teamer.

The Patriots have plenty of depth at EDGE. Trading Winovich creates more of an opportunity for his former Michigan teammate Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings and Ronnie Perkins among others.

The Patriots are in essence starting over at linebacker so the addition of Wilson gives them a young linebacker who can play MIKE (MLB) or SAM (SLB) in a 30 front or WILL (WLB) in a 40 front.

At 6-1 233, Wilson is undersized by Patriots inside linebacker standards but he has enough size that he can certainly play in the system, especially if the Patriots utilize more 40 fronts that emphasize shooting gaps instead of gap control.

Bill Belichick and the defensive staff supposedly want to get faster on defense. If that is the case, then playing more of one gap, read and react front will allow them to do that. Wilson would be a good fit in that scheme.

The Browns drafted Wilson in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He amassed 163 tackles in three seasons. His best season was his rookie season when he finished with 82 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and an interception.

Wilson will be expected to compete for a starting job and could potentially play on special teams as well.

Both players needed a change of scenery so the hope is the trade is beneficial for both teams. Time will tell if it works out. For now, the trade is a win, win for both the players and the two teams.