The New England Patriots had multiple issues in 2020, but the lack of proper defensive tackle depth was among the most glaring. Sure, Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler played some solid football, but the team was lacking the big-bodied space eaters it had available in years past — the Vince Wilforks, Teddy Washingtons or Danny Sheltons.
The Patriots tried multiple players at the nose position, but they were either miscast or unable to hold down the fort for an extended period of time. A do-over was needed, and New England invested considerable resources to get it done.