Patriots Insider Predicts Team Will Land 21-Sack Michigan Product In Second Round
Patriots Insider Predicts Team Will Land 21-Sack Michigan Product In Second Round originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New England Patriots are in the market for some pass rush help, and they could land some in the second round of the upcoming NFL Draft.
Last season, the Patriots had just 35 sacks in the regular season. They lost K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency, but replaced him with Dre'Mont Jones. Their pass rush still needs some help, and Patriots insider Evan Lazar predicted they would draft Derrick Moore from the University of Michigan in the second round.
"The Patriots addressed the edge position by signing Jones in free agency and are returning starter Harold Landry III, but getting an influx of talent with pass-rush upside is still on the to-do list," wrote Lazar. "New England also seemed to open the door for a top-100 draft pick to join the defense by releasing veteran Anfernee Jennings and opting not to re-sign K'Lavon Chaisson, their leading pressure-producer during their run to Super Bowl LX – all signs point to an EDGE early. " The Patriots made it to the Super Bowl despite a weak pass rush.
Adding Moore could change that instantly. He had 21 sacks in four seasons with the Wolverines. He had 10 sacks last season and also had 10.
5 tackles for a loss. "Moore is a power-oriented player but racked up pressures at Michigan by bull-rushing tackles with good first-step explosiveness, rolled hips, and long arms into contact," wrote Lazar. "With tackles bracing for his power, he catches them over-setting with inside counters, and he's a playmaking run defender with great instincts.