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New England Patriots: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO MA. – JANUARY 13: Trey Flowers (98) of the New England Patriots celebrates after saving Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxboro, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBORO MA. – JANUARY 13: Trey Flowers (98) of the New England Patriots celebrates after saving Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxboro, MA. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) /

4. Bolster the pass rush

In 2015, the New England Patriots used a fourth-round draft choice on University of Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers. He played in just one game during his rookie campaign. But he would soon take the field for Bill Belichick’s club and over the past three seasons has been the team’s most consistent pass rusher.

In his second year, he played in all 16 games and started eight of those contests. He finished with 45 tackles, a team-best seven sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. Flowers played and started 14 contests in ’17, both inside and outside. There were 62 stops and a pair of forced fumbles, to go along with three batted passes. He once again led the club in sacks (6.5).

This past season, the four-year pro started all but one contest. He finished with 57 tackles and a career-best 7.5 QB traps, to go along with three forced fumbles. In 29 regular-season games the past two seasons, Flowers has been credited with a combined 45 quarterback hits. He’s also made an impression in the playoffs, racking up 5.5 sacks in nine postseason outings.

The Patriots totaled only 30 sacks during the regular season in ’18. But Bill Belichick’s defense combined to drop Philip Rivers (2), Patrick Mahomes (4) and Jared Goff (4) 10 times in the playoffs. Flowers is also eligible to hit the free-agent market next month. In any case, the talented defender could use a little more help when it comes to pressuring opposing signal-callers.

Next: No. 3

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