The New England Patriots have had a busy offseason as they have shuffled players in and out via trades and free agency. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, defensive tackle Alan Branch, and safety Duron Harmon are all back to give the Patriots a strong core at all three levels right up the middle of the defense.
The losses of defensive ends Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long and cornerback Logan Ryan may have weakened the depth in the secondary and on the edge, but the additions of cornerback Stephon Gilmore, defensive end Kony Ealy and defensive tackle Lawrence Guy have made the Patriots younger and quicker on defense.