Analysis: Which Patriots Must Step Up Post-Judon?

The Patriots officially announced their trade of Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2025 third-round pick on Thursday morning, a move that signals the arrival of a significant transition on defense.

Judon was inarguably the team's most potent edge rusher and his three-down ability was critical to the team's defensive success in recent years. After signing with the team during the 2021 offseason, Judon piled up 28 sacks in his first two seasons in New England, by far the most impressive two-year stretch of his career. He played over three-quarters of the defensive snaps during that period and he left an obvious hole on the edge of the defense when he was lost against the Cowboys in Week 4 of the 2023 season.

Judon's presence off the field was nearly as impactful as on the field, as he brought an injection of straight talk laced with humor that provided levity during some of the trying periods for the team. Even in the early days of 2024's training camp, Judon was often spotted playing catch with fans before practice. He had become one of the team's most recognizable stars with his red-sleeved look and a local favorite.

There's no way to sugarcoat the loss of such an impactful player who had become the face of the Patriots in its post-Brady era, but the writing was on the wall as Judon's contract stalemate continued to drag into August. Judon's future with the team was already murky coming into the summer, but animated on-field discussions with Patriots coaches and front office brass during the team's fourth practice appeared to set a course for a breakup.

The Patriots have made their younger players a priority this offseason, with 11 multi-year contracts being handed out. Just one of those players -- Davon Godchaux -- was over the age of 30. Most were their own in-house players just coming off of their first contracts. The front office made it clear they were focused on building a new foundation for the long-term future, which made it hard to figure out where Judon, a now 32-year old coming off a season-ending injury, would fit in.

The third-round pick in return is a valuable top-100 selection and one that will make the team's 10th pick for the 2025 draft, including their own seven picks, and two seventh-rounders acquired as part of earlier trades of J.C. Jackson when he was acquired from Los Angeles and Nick Folk, who was traded last summer to Tennessee.

The team's depth at the edge spot had a chance to experience life without Judon last year, but the dropoff in pass rush disruption without him was noticeable. Anfernee Jennings made the most of the opportunity and emerged as a stout run-stopping presence who made plenty of plays in the backfield. Joshua Uche saw a dip in his production without Judon in the mix but remains a speed rusher who must be accounted for and someone who will be needed, especially on third downs, to get after the passer.

Second-year player Keion White is a top option to see a major jump in snaps. He's been active in the preseason on the edge and as an interior pass rusher. Of all the options, White's ceiling is one that is still unknown. He should get the biggest increase in opportunity now but it's hard to expect Judon-like production of 10-plus sacks.

Oshane Ximines is one new piece that could be a wild card factor. He's shown up with an aggressive pass rush and has the size that the Patriots have typically looked for on the edge at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds. Could he emerge on early downs as well? Or will the defense become more specialized with Jennings and White handing obvious run situations and Uche and Ximines coming on for the passing ones?

Jotham Russell and William Bradley-King are the final two depth pieces who could get increased opportunities to shine over the team's last two preseason games.

The team already lost Christian Barmore, their top interior rusher, and now they'll have questions to answer on the edge as well. The secondary has experience and talent, but the pass rush has to be the biggest issue for the defense to confront. Demarcus Covington has shown he'll spin the dial to generate pressure, but players who can win one-on-one are the ultimate problem for offenses to deal with. Now, it's fair to wonder if the Patriots front has any of those kind of players left.

Unless someone emerges and shows the ability to be disruptive all by themselves, there is no easy answer to replacing Matthew Judon. He was one of the bright spots of the last three seasons that have included just one playoff appearance and his personality was a big part of the team's fabric.

The Patriots clearly had to rebuild their offense this offseason, but it's obvious now that the defense will not be immune from some rebuilding pains as well. It's hard to take a step backward even if it makes sense that Judon was ultimately never going to be part of the next contending Patriots team.

With a draft class stacked at the team's already-glaring areas of need, offensive tackle and edge, New England should have enough capital to make the most of their picks.

But that doesn't lessen the sting of no longer having Mr. Red Sleeves for 2024.