What was once deemed a potential Big Three on the Patriots' defense is now just the big...Dont'a Hightower.
Chandler Jones was dealt to the Cardinals in March, and, in a stunning move, Jamie Collins was jettisoned to the Browns prior to the NFL trade deadline.
One of its other big-time defenders from 2015 -- Jabaal Sheard -- was a healthy scratch in New England's Week 11 win over San Francisco.
So much for all those marquee free agents on defense.
On the morning of the Pats' matchup with the Niners, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that tight end Martellus Bennett, acquired from Chicago on an expiring contract, had become an "offseason priority" for the Pats.