Patriots' Edge Rusher Dilemma: Draft or Bust?

0:00It's April 7th. This is NFL News Today, powered by AI, your gridiron update. The New England Patriots are staring down a thin-edged Russia group heading into the draft at the end of the month. They lost K-Levantche-San to the Washington commanders and released anfernie jinnings, leaving big holes. Sure, they grabbed Dremont Jones on a three-year deal, but the depth just isn't there to pressure quarterbacks consistently. In Jones, things get shaky fast. Harold Landry started hot last season, but is nursing a knee injury. Elijah Ponder had a solid rookie year as an undrafted guy, and Jesse Luquetta joined on a one-year minimum deal. Without Sheson and Jinnings as the steady pass rushers, the paths can't afford to wait. Fans and analysts are buzzing because this could tank the defense if they don't fix it quick. Mike Brable's scheme needs guys who stop the run and get after the quarterback, and the team has struggled there. A deep draft class means they might go edge as early as the first round to plug those

1:03gaps right away. Several late first round prospects fit perfect, like TJ Parker from Clemson, Keldrick Falk from Auburn, Akeem Messador from Miami, Caches Howe from, Texas A&M, R. Mason Thomas from Oklahoma, Zion Young from Missouri, Gabe Joccas from Illinois, and Danny Dennis Sutton from Penn State. Any of these could start day one. There it is, if Zion Young slides to pick 31 after his top 30 visit with New England, they'll snack him without hesitation. Either way, expect the pass to prioritize edge in round 1 or 2 to rebuild that front and give Brable's defense humming.