Analysis
6/21/23
4 min read
Edges Matt Judon, Josh Uche Are Bending the Patriot Way
Edge rusher is the NFL’s second most expensive position behind quarterback. Here, the New England Patriots will sometimes spring for Economy Plus but never for First Class.
Their only major veteran expenditure was 2021 free agent Matthew Judon, whom they made the seventh highest-paid edge defender in football that season but locked in for a modest $13.6 million average annually over four years. That essentially made him the 53rd highest-paid edge defender of all time.
“It just worked out that we maybe had a good opportunity, and financially, we were able to compete for him,” Bill Belichick recently told The 33rd Team’s Mike Tannenbaum. “He’s done a great job for us. We made him our highest-paid player, so I don’t think it was a situation where it was some big secret. And he had a lot of production for the Ravens.”
>> READ: How Patriots Defense Has Remained Strong
New England will soon face a major decision with a different edge defender since fourth-year edge rusher Josh Uche is playing on the last year of his rookie deal this season (more on that in a second).
The last time the Patriots faced a major financial decision on the edge was in 2016 when Chandler Jones reached the end of his rookie deal. Instead of re-upping the 25-year-old star, they traded him to Arizona. Jones also represents the only time New England drafted a true edge defender in the first round. Their other top pure edge defender investments came in the middle rounds:
- Second round, 60: Josh Uche, Michigan (2020)
- Third round, 77: Chase Winovich, Michigan (2019)
- Third round, 80: Anfernee Jennings, Alabama (2020)
- Third round, 90: Jake Bequette, Arkansas (2012)
- Third round, 96: Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma (2021)
- Third round, 97, Geneo Grissom, Oklahoma (2015)
Judon, Uche's Usage
Judon perfectly embodies a Patriots' edge defender. He is a good but not necessarily rare raw talent. His mechanics are sound, boosting his already plus-level playing strength. He commits to stopping the run, setting the edge on the play side and closing down plays from the backside. He is effective on a variety of stunts, both as a picker (setting up the stunt) and a looper.
Those stunts tend to be more intricate and slightly slower developing than many teams. On film, it can feel like New England relies on them more often, though the numbers disagree: In pass situations during the past five years, the Patriots have stunted 41 percent of the time, which is exactly the league average.
The Dallas Cowboys have the league-high mark at 55 percent, and the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles have the low marks at 30 percent.
Don’t expect those stunt numbers to rise in 2023 because the Patriots actually have a fledgling top-shelf edge rusher, albeit one they have not invested heavily in (yet?): 2020 late second-rounder Uche. Judon led the team with 15.5 sacks last season but publicly said that Uche (11.5 sacks) was New England’s best pass rusher. And it’s true – unequivocally.
Uche has quickness and bendability. Leverage and deceptive athletic strength give him a speed-to-power rush. When he is part of designer stunts, he delivers, especially when looping inside. He’s flexible enough to even align inside, including as a standup zero technique.
Uche is in the final year of his rookie deal. As of right now, the Patriots have a league-high $122 million in 2024 cap space. If Uche builds on his sky-rocket ascension from last season, it will be fascinating to see if the team breaks its M.O. and ponies up to keep him long-term.
WATCH: Belichick Talks CB Christian Gonzalez
Andy Benoit worked for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff from 2020 through 2022. Before that, he was a football analyst, writer and content producer for Peter King’s MMQB at Sports Illustrated, as well as at CBS Sports and The New York Times. You can follow him on Twitter @Andy_Benoit.
