The New England Patriots are coming off their second consecutive 4-13 record which is tied with last year for their worst record since 1992 when they were coached by Dick MacPherson. It is safe to say that they will be doing some rebuilding and retooling this offseason to get back to playoff contention.
Something that the Patriots have not had to do in a long time is make some major changes on the defensive side of the football. What was once a staple of Patriots football, is now looking to recover from one of the worst defensive seasons in recent memory for New England.
The main unit that is going to need some major help is the defensive line. This past season the Patriots ranked last in sacks, bottom three in pressures and QB knockdowns, and they were bottom ten in QB hurries. They do have some young bright spots in Keion White and Christian Barramore, but inexperience and injuries held this unit back in a big way.
There is one free-agent edge rusher this year that a lot of teams might pass on because of his attitude that the Patriots need to jump on. Haason Reddick of the New York Jets may be one of the missing pieces that New England needs.
Reddick had that whole holdout situation so he only played in ten games where he recorded 14 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection. Although these are not amazing numbers, everyone around the league knows what Reddick has been and is capable of in the right situation.
It may worry some about his attitude and off-the-field issues, but there is no better place in the NFL to fix those issues than the New England Patriots. They may not be the powerhouse they once were, or have the culture they once did, but they did just hire Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel is a very well-respected and renowned coach across the league who will not tolerate nonsense of any kind. He is coming to rebuild the culture, and there is no better way to show that than by bringing in and disciplining a respected veteran.
Reddick is a very talented edge rusher who can still produce as well as teach and mentor the young pass rushers on the New England Patriots. Reddick could be a big contributor for the Patriots, and if a few other moves are made he could even help them compete for a possible playoff spot.
It will be exciting to see if the Patriots decide to take a chance and go after Reddick this upcoming free agency.
