Fansided

10 NFL players ready to become household names in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball before he is stopped by linebacker Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball before he is stopped by linebacker Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 29: Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 29: Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. DE Chase Winovich, New England Patriots

The New England Patriots finished first in the league in 2019 and fewest total yards allowed and fewest points surrendered. Their defense was the calling card of their latest winning campaign and spearheaded the club’s 11th consecutive division title. Now it’s also worth noting that Bill Belichick’s club split its final eight games after an 8-0 start and one of the issues was the club’s failure to shut down the run late.

It actually began in the team’s Week 8 win over the visiting Browns in which the Pats allowed 159 yards on the ground. Including the playoff loss to the Titans, New England defenders surrendered a disappointing 120.6 yards per game rushing in their final 10 total outings. This offseason, the club’s defensive departures include linebackers Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts while safety Duron Harmon was dealt to the Lions. And this week, veterans Donta Hightower and Patrick Chung will apparently opt of playing in 2020 due to the current pandemic.

A year ago, the Patriots used a third-round pick on fiery defensive end Chase Winovich. The former University of Michigan standout finished with 20 tackles, 5.5 sacks and certainly made an impression on special teams. Look for him to see even more time on defense this year.

Home/NFL