In the Bill Belichick era, the New England Patriots have never really had a player like Dominique Easley. Since evolving out of his 3-4 background to employ a faster and lighter hybrid front against today's spacing-oriented passing games, Belichick has yet to find that disruptive 3-technique, the Warren Sapp type who can wreak havoc on the interior of a line.
When considering how the Patriots might keep their defense afloat after the free-agency defections of three former Pro Bowlers, Easley is easy to overlook. Recurring right knee soreness sabotaged the 2014 first-rounder's rookie campaign and landed him on injured reserve, an ominous sign after he tore both ACLs at Florida.