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2021 NFL Draft: 3 potential fits for Texas EDGE Joseph Ossai

By Timothy Rodriguez

Sep 14, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) attempts to make a tackle as Rice Owls running back Nahshon Ellerbe (9) runs with the ball during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) attempts to make a tackle as Rice Owls running back Nahshon Ellerbe (9) runs with the ball during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Draft
Patriots could target Ossai in the 2021 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots

Versatile players getting mocked to the patriots part 3459. It happens every year. The New England Patriots deploy one of the most versatile defensive schemes in the NFL. Movement before the snap, disguising coverages, and dropping potential rushers make this defense one of the hardest to comprehend in the NFL. There is a strong reason why rookie quarterbacks struggle so much against Bill Belichick.

Not only does the Patriots’ scheme welcome versatility, but they need help on the front seven in an ungodly way. In the 2020 off-season, the Patriots lost Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Jamie Collins, and Danny Shelton. When players began to opt out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they lost linebacker Donta Hightower and safety Patrick Chung, who played a good amount of reps in the box. In the draft, they selected Michigan edge rusher Josh Uche, who has missed a lot of time, but is really starting to come along slowly.

Joseph Ossai might be exactly what the Patriots need to reload on the defensive front. The Patriots preach a team rush approach. They really like to maintain gap integrity as opposed to winning one on one matchups. While he does not possess elite pass rush moves, he has all the tools to be moved around and become a chess piece for Bill Belichick.

While you do not want Ossai matching up with Travis Kelce and Darren Waller in man to man coverage, he has the athleticism to drop into the second level while lining up around the line of scrimmage. New England makes a lot of selections in the draft that are described as moldable, evident by the selection of Kyle Dugger.

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