Bringing a fierceness that can rival Tom Brady’s, rookie Chase Winovich is ready to compete.
The New England Patriots acquired a character when they drafted edge rusher Chase Winovich out of Michigan with the 72nd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The charismatic pass-rusher is more than capable in all aspects of defending the edge, including rushing the passer and stopping the run. With a remarkably high work ethic and desire to be a champion, he was a favorite to go to New England in many mock drafts. Entering a talented team at a weak position group, Winovich could soon be a fan and coach favorite.
Winovich is not the prototypical edge rusher – he has the size but lacks a lot of the speed and power that comes naturally to the more physically gifted athletes who tend to get drafted in the earlier rounds. Still, Winovich is no ordinary player. In order to be a professional athlete, one must work tirelessly, have the physical measurables, and maybe even have luck on their side. While the Michigan product isn’t a generational player based on his talent, Winovich has a relentless character that simply won’t let him operate at anything less than max power.
It will be intriguing to see how the Patriots utilize their new rookie on defense; his best fit would be as a 4-3 end, but he could play as a 3-4 end or 3-4 outside linebacker. Unlike more gifted players who aren’t able to switch their play style, one can bet Winovich will be more than happy with any assignment given to him by Belichick.
Wherever the prospect lines up on the field, there will be a few lingering issues that will need to be coached up. Due to his high-intensity play-style, Winovich tends to rely more on physical power and not finesse or flair. Also, once he is beat, the edge rusher does not have the closing speed to catch most skill players. The Michigan alum is incredibly raw, but displays a willingness to be coached unmatched by many of his new teammates who are already familiar with the Patriot Way.
One player that Winovich shares many similarities with is Jared Allen. Both were mid-round picks and were strongly characterized by their inhuman work ethic. Another humorous aspect they both possess is their bloodthirsty attitude on the field paired with a fun-loving mantra off the field. Also, they both rely on an all-out attack when they rush the quarterback, compared to basing their game off of trickery and being slippery while facing an offensive tackle. If Winovich can resemble Allen throughout his budding career, he will prove to be a steal in the draft.
With the retirement of Rob Gronkowski this offseason, the Patriots lost one of their best players and also a huge personality. Although Winovich can’t reproduce what Gronk brought on offense, he might be able to become one of the new faces of New England. By trading for veteran Michael Bennett early in the offseason, the Patriots have added a leader for the young defensive line core. With all the tools in place, Winovich will be more than prepared to begin his professional career.
