Anfernee Jennings Faces Uncertainty as Truman Jones Shines in Patriots’ Preseason 🚨

Transitioning to a new defensive scheme is going to create some big-name casualties for the New England Patriots once they trim their roster to 53 players, and that’s bad news for veteran Anfernee Jennings, but potentially great news for an unheralded defensive end who’s been one of the stars of this offseason.

Both edge defenders are trending in opposite directions after the Patriots walloped the Washington Commanders 48-18 in Week 1 of the preseason. Jennings’ stock is down, even though he “was once a perfect fit as an edge-setter in Bill Belichick’s defense,” per Chad Graff of The Athletic.

Graff pointed out that “as the Patriots pivot to a defense shaped in Vrabel’s image, there have been a few players (Jahlani Tavai also comes to mind) who don’t fit as well. Jennings was playing during the second half on Friday, which is usually a time for backups or those on the roster bubble to make an impression. That’s not a great sign for the soon-to-be 28-year-old.”

The lack of playing time with starters was poorly timed for Jennings because ex-Kansas City Chiefs practice squad member Truman Jones continued to impress. So much so, the former Harvard pass-rusher “had at least three quarterback pressures and a run stuff,” according to Graff, who believes if Jones “keeps playing like this, he won’t be a practice squad player much longer.”

It’s hardly surprising Graff projects Jones, who was named among four “offseason award winners” by Vrabel on Monday, July 28, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, to stake a spot on the 53 ahead of Jennings.

The latter is in trouble because “it doesn’t seem the new coaching staff is as big a fan of his edge-setting ability as previous ones.”

Anfernee Jennings Out of Place in New Patriots Defense

Getting after quarterbacks more effectively has been made a priority by new head coach Mike Vrabel and his defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. It makes sense when Williams has coached on units led by an active four-man rush, while the Patriots propped up the NFL standings with just 28 sacks last season.

They were still playing a hybrid 3-4 based on big bodies, occupying blockers and putting up a wall along the line of scrimmage. The system worked for six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick and his successor Jerod Mayo, who sought out edge players like Jennings, a 6-foot-2, 255-pound outside linebacker able to stand up offensive tackles, shed blocks and smother or redirect running plays.

Jennings has quietly been one of the league’s best in this system, thanks to plays these highlighted by Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS. No. 33 was so effective setting the edge, Kyles correctly pointed out teams “can’t cut back against him or block him with a skill player.”

What Jennings does is a niche skill, but a throwback one. Stopping running plays at source will always be valuable, but modern defenses simply expect greater pass-rush juice from their edge players.

It’s why Jennings has been touted as a cut candidate this offseason. The same expectation is also why Jones is in line to replace him.

Truman Jones Has Skill Patriots Need

Vrabel and Williams will be guarded against changing the physical profile of their front seven so much they create a weakness against the run, but their primary focus remains generating more pressure.

That’s just what Jones did against the Commanders, with Kyles crediting him with winning in “different ways as a pass rusher.”

Impressive reps like these are why Jones has done enough to put himself in the conversation for a final roster spot. His output as part of kick coverage, referenced by Kyles, also strengthens the 25-year-old’s case.

Jones (54) has been putting in the work in football’s third phase all offseason, something highlighted by New England Football Journal co-owner Kevin J. Stone.

This is the kind of ground floor work players on the roster bubble need to do to help change the narrative and show a new coaching staff they belong. Jones appears to be winning that battle, putting Jennings in increasing jeopardy.