The New England Patriots are reuniting the band.
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy announced Wednesday night that he will sign again with the Patriots after a year with the Miami Dolphins. He joins Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung, as well as new additions Matt Judon, Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson and Jalen Mills to help transform the defense of New England, which was a risk in 2020, back into a force.
Here is an updated view of the unit:
Defensive line: Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Deatrich Wise, Beau Allen, Byron Cowart, Carl Davis, Akeem Spence, Tashawn Bower, Michael Barnett, Nick Thurman, Bill Murray
Defender: Dont’a Hightower, Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Chase Winovich, Josh Uche, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Terez Hall, Rashod Berry, Cassh Maluia, Brandon King, Michael Pinckney
Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson (RFA), Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Joejuan Williams, Myles Bryant, Justin Bethel, Mike Jackson, Dee Virgin, D’Angelo Ross
Safety: Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis
Could the Patriots use another defensive lineman (perhaps a return from a free defensive tackle Lawrence Guy or Danny Shelton?). They also have two questions in the cornerback: Will Stephon Gilmore be traded and will JC Jackson, who was marked with a second round auction, remain a restricted free agent?
Otherwise, the Patriots’ defense is loaded and deep with the additions of Judon, Mills, Godchaux and Anderson and re-additions of Van Noy, Hightower and Chung.
Van Noy can play as a linebacker or defender. He went through the entire defense in 2016, 2017 and 2018 before lining up mainly in 2019. We’ll see how coach Bill Belichick sees Van Noy after the linebacker’s year away from the Dolphins. Hightower, Judon and Van Noy design as beginners. Van Noy’s role, and whether he plays inside or outside the linebacker, can be dictated by the progress of Uche, Jennings and Winovich in 2021.
Van Noy, who was negotiated with the Detroit Lions Patriots for a final exchange in 2016, reportedly signed a two-year deal worth $ 13.2 million, which is a steal a year after the linebacker joined Miami in a four-year, $ 51 million contract only to be cut after one season.
The Patriots also reloaded the attack, signing with wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry and pivot Ted Karras and exchanging for Trent Brown.
New England went from 7 to 9 in 2020, but may be positioned for a playoff streak after all of last week’s moves.
The Patriots may still try to upgrade the quarterback (Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham and Jake Dolegala) and running back (Damien Harris, Sony Michel, JJ Taylor and Brandon Bolden) in the coming months.
The free agency party is going on for now, however, as Belichick continues to spend what appears to be more than $ 60 million bottomless in wage cap space.
Miniature photo via Douglas DeFelice / USA TODAY Sports Images