New England’s Pass Rushing Tandem Should Scare Opposing Offensive Linemen
Matt Judon should help bolster a Patriots pass rush after signing with the team this past offseason.
The New England Patriots spent a lot of money on a few high-priced players this offseason, but none should make as much of an impact as off-ball linebacker Matt Judon. Judon is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, as he demonstrated in his previous five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he accumulated 34.5 sacks. The impact of Judon may be felt most by his teammate Josh Uche, who showed flashes in his first season with New England. Factor in 2020 opt-out Dont’a Hightower, and there is a lot to like about the Patriots pass-rushing core in 2021.
Dont’a Hightower, who opted out of the 2020 NFL season, will return to take command of one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Both Uche and Judon are two of the most athletic outside linebackers in the NFL. Both linebackers can either rush the passer or drop into coverage in the flat. It is one thing for offensive coordinators to plan for one of these stud pass rushers, but another to worry about both players on the field. Uche has yet to tap into his potential as an outside pass rusher. If Judon mentors Uche on harnessing his athleticism, the Patriots could have two elite outside pass rushers.
Josh Uche was a bright spot for the Patriots defense and was an efficient pass rusher in the outside linebacker role.
Last year, Josh Uche was all over the field. He was a tackling force and sack aficionado. However, the Patriots struggled with their linebacker depth during the 2020 season. Ja’Whan Bentley went down with an injury, Hightower as a COVID opt-out, and losing Kyle Van Noy to the Miami Dolphins in free agency diminished the linebacker depth. Uche showed promise in the outside linebacker role but was thrust midway through the season into playing middle linebacker. Uche utilized his athleticism and was a decent middle linebacker but showed more promise playing on the outside. A complete season of Uche as an exterior pass rusher, along with a typical off-season and training camp, should help Uche establish himself as one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL.
Kyle Van Noy will also return to the Patriots defense after playing for Miami in 2020.
Uche and Judon are going to be a force against offensive tackles this season. Factor in one of the best secondaries in the league, and the Patriots should have a top 10 defensive unit in the NFL. With a revitalized Patriots pass rush, the defense will be a challenge for opposing offenses. Uche and Judon, if both are playing to their potential, are comparable to former Chiefs pass-rushing duo Justin Houston and Tamba Hali because both players are athletic pass rushers who should wreak havoc on the field. The Patriots pass rush will give fans something to be excited about and Uche, along with Judon, are two forces in the NFL that will make highlight-reel plays.
If Josh Uche and Matt Judon resemble the former elite pass rushing combination of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, the Patriots defense will be one of the most feared units in the NFL.