Patriots Should Target These Free-Agent Edge Rushers, Chris Long Says

The New England Patriots are expected to target several big names in the offseason. Chris Long appeared on “The Mina Kimes Show Featuring Lenny” to discuss the Patriots’ situation. Long won a Super Bowl as a Patriots defensive end in 2016. He listed two edge rushers the Patriots should consider getting in free agency.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Bud Dupree and Cincinnati Bengals’ Carl Lawson.

Dupree, 28, had 19 ½ sacks, 32 quarterback hits and 24 tackles for loss in the last couple of seasons. He tore his ACL and his 2020 season ended in December.

“I don’t know if (the Patriots would) ever spend the money on him, (but) I love Bud Dupree,” Long said. “… I think a Bud Dupree is, when you look at a guy who can do multiple things — you look at Pittsburgh. He was such an engine for them. There’s not one thing that he does in the top five in the league, but he does so many things in the top 10, 15. And that’s what makes guys money and makes guys valuable in New England. …

“He’s not necessarily going to be the guy who wins a bunch of 1-on-1s … (but) Bud Dupree is going to do all your dirty work. He’s going to push the pocket. Yes, he’s going to go sideline to sideline. He’s going to be a tone-setter. He’s going to win some rushes, but that’s a total unknown. What’s his numbers going to look like without a T.J. Watt opposite him, in a different scheme?”

Patriots to target pass rushers in 2021

Lawson will enter free agency for the first time in his career. The 25-year-old had 5 ½ sacks for the Bengals in 2020 and ranked second in quarterback hits (32). This puts him behind Watt. Lawson also ranked sixth in total pressures (64) as confirmed by the Pro Football Focus.

“If you look at the year he had — and I know he’s had some ups and downs — he is so underrated,” Long told Kimes. “The guy had, like, 30-something hits, like 60-something pressures. He is an absolute pocket-pushing, a-bunch-of-tools-in-the-toolbox kind of rusher that I think would do really well in New England. But I also think that might cost them, and they might say, ‘Well, maybe you’re not versatile enough for us to pay you $10 million.’”

Dupree measures at 6 feet 4, 269 pounts. Lawson measures at 6 feet 2, 265 pounds.

The Patriots don’t spend big money on pass rushers. They’d rather fill out the group with players like Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Adrian Clayborn, and Jabaal Sheard.

Belichick lost Van Noy and Collins in free agency. Dont’a Hightower opted out of the season. New England ranked 27th in sacks and 25th in sack rate in 2020. Hightower will probably return in 2021. Chase Winovich, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Tashawn Bower, and Rashod Berry are under contract.