What I consider the most critical component of the Patriots’ defense is the Linebacker/Edge Group. Last season they just didn’t provide much pressure outside of Matt Judon. Once teams started scheming for Judon and no one else picked up the slack from the LB/Edge group the team suffered.
Judon was not the same player in the 2nd half of the season. The linebackers were old, slow, and tired. The Patriots released Kyle Van Noy and didn’t re-sign Hightower or Collins. Hightower and Collins have not signed with anyone. However, Hightower was spotted with his former teammates at a Celtics playoff game.