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5 players who Patriots need to be great in 2020

By Rucker Haringey

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots prepares to throw during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots prepares to throw during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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Chase Winovich, New England Patriots
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 17: Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Chase Winovich

Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy were the top two sack artists employed by the Patriots in 2019. Unfortunately for fans in Foxborough, neither player is still on the roster.

That means other guys are going to have to step up and become more prominent edge rushers. Winovich showed real promise in his rookie season with 5.5 sacks in a reserve role. This year he’s going to be counted on to be one of the team’s options at defensive end.

The former Michigan star may not be the most athletic defensive lineman in the league, but his combination of skill and tenacity gives him a lot of upside as an edge rusher. It’s very possible he could break out and produce double-digit sacks this season.

The quality in the Patriots’ secondary will give the team’s edge rushers extra time to get to the opposing quarterback. Winovich must take advantage of that extra second or two to replace what Collins and Van Noy gave the defense last season. He can’t replace their production by himself, but he needs to be the team’s top option to rush the quarterback.

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