If Stephon Gilmore sits out half the season – which is looking more likely by the day – then the linebackers and defensive lineman will obviously need to be better this year and minimize time the secondary spends in coverage.

So far, Josh Uche has been a force this month along with Matthew Judon and Chrisitan Barmore whether it’s 1-on-1 drills or competitive snaps. All three have showed glimpses of potential dominance in the pass rushing department and Dont’a Hightower is back as Mr. Dependable in the middle. Hightower hasn’t seemed to be affected by taking the year off last season, but the problem is, without Gilmore it’s going to take more than that if this defense is going to be as elite as we all think it can be, particularly in the pass rush.

Chase Winovich should immediately come to mind as one of those “who could surprise us this year? guys in the front seven.

While it seems like Winovich couldn’t get out of Bill Belichick’s dog house last year, he still ended up with 5.5 sacks and 50 solo tackles after 5.5 sacks and 17 solo tackles in 2019. Uche had seven solo tackles and a sack as a rookie last season. If the Patriots do in fact end up needing to help out their secondary by generating a much quicker rush, then don’t be surprised if it’s the two Michigan Men stepping up their game alongside Judon as explosive, game-changing quarterback hunters.

Winovich sounded like a guy who has matured and is ready to make his mark when he spoke to the media on Friday following practice.

“I had to go through a lot I feel like this offseason and I feel like that’s really helped me grow, if anything,” he said. “Being challenged and having to meet this other part of yourself only brings out and introduces you to things and concepts that you otherwise never would’ve been exposed to. So, I’m just enjoying the process. Honestly, some days are better than others like anything, but I really do feel that it all comes back to a belief in yourself No. 1, and two, just going and putting in the work and that’s it.

Just operating from a place of how can I contribute? How can I add value to whatever it is I do, any relationships or anything I do.”

Uche had a fairly quiet rookie year, but if his training camp and preseason translates to the regular season then he too will be a huge factor for this defense. Hightower compared Uche to Judon on Thursday following the final joint practice with the Giants and Uche responded on Friday.

“That’s a great comparison because Judon is probably one of the best pass rushers I’ve ever been around,” he said. “I just try to work everyday to kind of emulate and do some things he does to try and get to his level, his status. It’s definitely great to have a player you aspire to be like on your team and in your room, that way you have someone that kind of lays out the road map of how to go about being a professional.”

Judon was a huge topic of discussion when the Patriots prepared for the Ravens last season, something that Uche might be to other teams this season if he continues to ascend and follow Judon’s lead.

“I remember playing the Ravens last year and being on scout team, we’d talk about Judon being kind of like this chess piece, this versatile guy who can do a lot of different things,” Uche said. “He brings versatility to the defense, so ever since then I kind of just started watching more of his game and seeing how fluid of a pass rusher he is.”

Back when Uche was drafted by New England, Winovich talked about the chemistry the two of them had after playing three seasons together at Michigan.

“That was my boy,” Winovich said at the time. “When he was at Michigan, I remember before every game we’d talk about what techniques we were going to use to beat the tackles that week. Great to be able to have that chemistry back, possibly.”

Now, with Judon setting the tone and both guys having some time to get adjusted to life as NFL players, there may be a serious need for Winovich and Uche to become elite pass rushers this season and bring that chemistry from The Big House to 1 Patriot Place. More importantly, both of them seem ready to do so.