Versatility and Part-Time Players Across Patriots' Defensive Line

Deatrich Wise Jr. has added weight, making him an intriguing roster prospect. (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Nose tackle Danny Shelton is gone, and that creates a troubling situation up front for New England. In fact, it's unclear whether they have a solid nose tackle at all.

The Star

Lawrence Guy is the leading returner, but he's better served as a defensive end in a 3-4 alignment than a nose tackle – although he'd still play a bit of the latter, as he did last year.

The Beef

The most clear nose tackle among roster contenders is Beau Allen from Tampa Bay. He's only recorded 117 combined tackles and 15 quarterback hits over six NFL seasons, but he at least has the proper frame. Then again, he's been injured since early in training camp, so he could be heading to injured reserve.

Short of Allen, Byron Cowart is probably the leader in the clubhouse. Play time was very sporadic for him as a rookie in 2019, but is was widely-understood to be a developmental year for Cowart, who the staff believes has much more upside than the typical fifth-round selection. At 300 pounds, he's a little light to play over center, but he has the motor to make up for it.

Three-Tech Depth

Adam Butler is also an option, but like Guy, he'll also line up over/outside offensive guards frequently. The fourth-year contributor out of Vanderbilt should continue to see his play time rise.

The most intriguing man up front might be one who definitely won't play up the middle. Deatrich Wise Jr. has added about 10 pounds of seemingly all muscle, now weighing over 280 pounds. Maybe he's a 3-technique defensive tackle, maybe he's a 3-4 defensive end, but he's definitely in position to be more than a misfit, situational edge rusher in 2020.

Extra Men

Other players under consideration are journeyman backup Xavier Williams, 2019 practice squad member Nick Thurman, and undrafted free agent Bill Murray.