Linebacker depth among Patriots biggest needs

The defense carried the Patriots in 2019.

The unit finished the season first in the NFL in points allowed. Its performance helped make up for an offense that was inconsistent for most of the year. For a team that’s long been carried by Tom Brady, last year’s Patriots squad showed that the defense can carry the load

That’s why this offseason is so important.

Entering free agency this week, the Patriots have a handful of important defensive [...]

The defense carried the Patriots in 2019.

The unit finished the season first in the NFL in points allowed. Its performance helped make up for an offense that was inconsistent for most of the year. For a team that’s long been carried by Tom Brady, last year’s Patriots squad showed that the defense can carry the load

That’s why this offseason is so important.

Entering free agency this week, the Patriots have a handful of important defensive players up for new contracts. Three of the team’s linebackers are unsigned — Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts. Then there’s safety Devin McCourty, a long-time team captain and Pro Bowler, who would have been a free agent but announced on Sunday night that he and the team had come to agreement on a two-year deal worth $23 million.

Take Van Noy and Collins out of that defense and it’s a lot of talent lost. Van Noy is expected to be one of the top edge rushers when free agency begins on Wednesday. It would be a surprise to see him back in Foxboro. If he and Collins, the team’s most productive pass-rushers, both leave, the Pats will need help getting to the quarterback.

The Patriots could look at outside linebackers like Markus Golden (10 sacks), Mario Addison (10 sacks), Jordan Jenkins (eight sacks) or Carl Nassib (six sacks). If they want inside linebacker help, to shift Dont’a Hightower to the edge, they could consider Blake Martinez, Cory Littleton or Joe Schobert. Considering the Pats have only two linebackers signed beyond 2020 — edge-rusher Chase Winovich and Ja’Whaun Bentley — it would make sense to add another inside linebacker or weakside linebacker to the depth chart.

The Patriots also need to reinforce their defensive line. Danny Shelton, the team’s best run-stopper, is scheduled to be a free agent. The Patriots are likely to place a second-round tender on Adam Butler, so he’ll likely be back for 2020 along with Lawrence Guy and Byron Cowart.

If Shelton moves on, another defensive tackle will be needed to help stop the run. There are several options for the Pats on the open market. Michael Pierce is a solid run-stuffing defensive lineman. The same goes for A’Shawn Robinson, Quinton Jefferson and Michael Brockers. D.J. Reader is one of the best defensive tackles available, but could be pricey. If the Pats want an interior pass-rusher, veterans like Gerald McCoy, Ezekiel Ansah, Ndamukong Suh and Derek Wolfe fit the bill.

If the Patriots want help at defensive end, there are a lot of veteran options. Players like Robert Quinn (10 sacks), Jason Pierre-Paul (nine sacks), Everson Griffen (eight sacks) and Vic Beasley (eight sacks) won’t come cheap, but they’d help. Former Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard could also be an option. Considering Deatrich Wise is the only true defensive end on the roster, the Pats could use some help here.

The Patriots should also look at their secondary. Even with Devin McCourty, they still need some youth at safety. He’ll turn 33 this summer. The same goes for Patrick Chung. Meanwhile, Duron Harmon and Terrence Brooks enter 2020 in the final year of their deals. Perhaps, the draft is the way to go here.

There are some talented safeties available. Justin Simmons, 26, would have been one of the best available on Wednesday but the Denver Broncos slapped a franchise tag on him. Other safeties on the open market will be HaHa Clinton-Dix, Vonn Bell, Rodney McLeod, Tre Boston, Anthony Harris and Jimmie Ward.

At cornerback, the Patriots are loaded with Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones and JoeJuan Williams. Unless the Pats trade someone, it would be a shock to see them spend any more money on this position.