Matt Judon might like a partner across the defensive formation to help the New England Patriots sack the quarterback.
That’s surely why ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Patriots drafting Penn State defensive Arnold Ebiketie in the latest mock draft.
For most of 2021, defensive tackle Christian Barmore served as the Patriots’ second best rusher — and he was very productive in that role. But it wouldn’t hurt for New England to build more depth at a linebacker position where every-down players and top-end talent has been lacking. The Patriots may have recently drafted Chase Winovich and Josh Uche. They may have recently signed linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins.
And yet you don’t get the sense the EDGE unit was one of the team’s strengths. Here are Kiper’s thoughts on adding Ebiketie:
“The Patriots got 12.5 sacks from free-agent pickup Matthew Judon last season, while Kyle Van Noy was second on the team with five. No other player had more than three. This front seven has to add an edge rusher, especially as it seems Bill Belichick & Co. don’t trust Chase Winovich, who played only 111 snaps last season, to take on a bigger role.
“Ebiketie had 19 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season, his first at Penn State after transferring from Temple. At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, he could put on a few more pounds and add the position versatility that New England loves, shifting all along the defensive line. He has extremely long arms and can create leverage on his pass-rush moves. The Patriots also need to invest again at wide receiver, so I thought about one with this pick.”
There really doesn’t seem to be a position that the Patriots wouldn’t draft in the first round except for quarterback and, maybe, tight end (considering the financial burden on the position with Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith). Every other position has to be on the table, whether they could plan for the future or look for immediate-impact players.
By drafting an edge player, the Patriots would be burying the prospects of Winovich and inhibiting a breakout year for Uche. So that would be interesting, with New England spending a second-rounder on Uche just two years ago. He deserves more playing time. But Ebiketie — or another edge prospect — would be yet another obstacle for Uche’s ascent.
