Derek Rivers Out for Season: How the New England Patriots Replace Their Top Pick

Patriots prized pass rusher Derek Rivers is unfortunately out for the season

New England Patriots rookie third-round pick Derek Rivers was injured in preparation for the team’s second preseason game against the Houston Texans. He went down with a non-contact injury while on kickoff coverage and immediately grabbed his left knee.

After returning to Boston for further tests, Field Yates and Mike Reiss of ESPN are reporting the edge rusher from Youngstown State is feared to have suffered a season-ending injury.

The Patriots managed to sack the opposing quarterback just 34 times last season, and Trey Flowers is the only returning player who recorded more than three sacks for the Super Bowl champs. New England desperately needed to add a solid edge rusher this season and Rivers, who recorded 37.5 sacks in college, filled that need. He was the first of four players the Patriots selected in the 2017 NFL Draft and was expected to contribute both as a pass rusher and on special teams.

If Rivers is indeed placed on season-ending injured reserve, the Patriots have an extra spot on the roster. Bill Belichick is as open to wheeling and dealing as any coach in the NFL, so the trade market is a good place to start. With Rivers still in the team’s long-term plans, the Patriots aren’t going to break the bank or give away an early draft pick for a replacement. When looking at rosters across the league and determining who fits the Patriots mold, there are two players in particular who come to mind.

The first is James Cowser of the Oakland Raiders. Like Rivers, Cowser played his college ball at the FCS level, and both were measured at 6-foot-3, 248 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. The former Southern Utah Thunderbird accumulated 33.5 sacks in college and signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent before the 2016 season. He was active for six games last season and recorded nine tackles.

New England Patriots

The second option is Cleveland Browns defensive end, Tyrone Holmes. He was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft but was cut before the start of the season. Holmes, another FCS player, was credited with 32.5 sacks at Montana, including an FCS-leading 18 in 2015. He made six tackles in 11 games as a rookie last year.

The Patriots also have plenty of in-house options. With an extra spot available on the roster, in addition to the lack of depth the Patriots have at defensive end, it’s likely an edge defender who was previously on the roster bubble is now safe. Trey Flowers and Deatrich Wise, Jr. have already secured roster spots. Kony Ealy, who has struggled since arriving in New England, is also a sure bet to make the final 53-man roster now.

The two players the Rivers injury benefits the most are Geneo Grissom and Harvey Langi. Grissom adds depth at the position as well as providing value on special teams. Langi, on the other hand, is someone who can stand up and rush off the edge or drop into coverage.

Don’t forget about Dont’a Hightower. The addition of David Harris in the middle of the defense will allow Hightower to rush off the edge as well. He only averages about three sacks per season, but as he proved in the Super Bowl, Hightower can get to the quarterback when it matters the most.

Next: Jaguars looking at AJ McCarron

As is the norm in New England, it won’t be just one guy who steps into the role vacated by Rivers. Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will find an advantageous matchup on a weekly basis to exploit the opponent. Who will be the first to take on added responsibility? The third preseason game against the Detroit Lions will provide an early clue.