Vince Wilfork Ranked 8th Best Patriot

Vince Wilfork checks in at No. 8.

Analysis: It’s tough to know what to expect from Vince Wilfork in 2014.

Though it is likely he was nursing some type of ailment early on last season, it’s impossible to ignore that the 32-year-old defensive tackle wasn’t playing at his typical level before going down with an Achilles injury in late September.

Now, moving forward, it is impossible to ignore Wilfork’s age and injury. Will he return to being one of the league’s most imposing defensive tackles now that he’s all patched up? Or will he be slow to return to form? Those are questions that cannot yet be answered.

For his part, Wilfork looked good during spring practices and was further along than expected. But, to be fair, it’s one thing to look good when contact is limited. It’s something completely different when someone like Logan Mankins is pushing back with full force.

Still, even with those questions, Wilfork remains one of the most important players on the roster moving forward. There is some depth at defensive tackle, with Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Sealver Siliga and Chris Jones filling out the depth chart. But both Kelly and Easley are coming back from ACL injuries, and Siliga and Jones are better served as rotation players.

For the New England defense to perform as hoped, it will need Wilfork manning the middle of the defensive line.


(masslive.com)