Patriots by Position: Defensive Line

FOXBORO — The Returners

Alan Branch – DL, 11th season, Michigan PUP

Malcolm Brown – DL, 3rd season, Texas

Trey Flowers – DL, 3rd season, Arkansas

Geneo Grissom – DL, 3rd season, Oklahoma

Darius Kilgo – DL, 3rd season*, Maryland

Vincent Valentine – DT, 2nd season, Nebraska

Woodrow Hamilton – DL, 2nd season*, Mississippi

The New Guys

Lawrence Guy – DL, 7th season, Arizona State (Baltimore)

Kony Ealy – DL, 4th season, Missouri (Carolina)


The Rookies

Josh Augusta – DL, Missouri

Adam Butler – DL, Vanderbilt

Caleb Kidder – DE, Montana

Derek Rivers – DE, Youngstown State

Corey Vereen – DL, Tennessee IR

Deatrich Wise Jr. – DL, Arkansas


The Skinny: The Patriots retained veteran tackle Alan Branch, who inked a 2-year deal back in early March, though the lineman has been placed on the PUP list. Returning as well is Trey Flowers, who had seven sacks a year ago, along with Malcolm Brown, Belichick's last first-round draft pick. New England also added a tackle in Lawrence Guy and a defensive end in Kony Ealy, who are both expected to bolster the Pats' front seven.

Ealy comes from Carolina and is known best for tormenting Peyton Manning in Super Bowl 50. With an interception, three sacks, and a trio of tackles, Ealy would arguably have been Super Bowl MVP had the Panthers prevailed. Guy is a veteran who amassed four and a half sacks in 2015 and 14 tackles a year ago. He'll provide depth to a defensive line that will be crucial to the New England run defense.    

Retiring after eight seasons with the Patriots, Rob Ninkovich's absence will mean less depth at defensive end. Ealy's presence and performance becomes even more important for New England's edge rush.


The Top Talk: Kony Ealy on the transition from Carolina to New England:

"Now I'm on to a new phase of just bonding with my team here, my teammates, and just really trying to get down every basic thing that I need in order to go out and do my job to the best of my abilities. Last year is last year, this year is this year."

David Souza is an intern in the Boston 25 Sports department. Follow David on Twitter: @DSouza4717

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