The Patriots have lost several tone-setting defenders for various reasons that are keeping those players off the field this season.

Heading into the year, New England announced six captains: QB Jacoby Brissett, LS Joe Cardona, DE Deatrich Wise, C David Andrews, LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, and S Jabrill Peppers. Of those six, three aren't currently available. Andrews (shoulder) and Bentley (torn pectoral) suffered season-ending injuries, while Peppers is on on the commissioner's exempt list.

With those major absences, the Patriots needed other veterans to fill the leadership void. Although that hasn't always been easy or reflected by the team's win-loss record, there are players who deserve credit for leading the team through significant adversity.

On defense, one leader who has emerged is standout edge-setter Anfernee Jennings. In the past, Jennings has been more of a lead-by-example player, at least from the outside looking into the locker room. However, the view from the outside might've been deceiving. Recently, Patriots.com mic'd up the outside linebacker in last Sunday's game vs. the Titans. Jennings can be seen hyping up teammates, breaking down his position group huddle, and celebrating on the sideline.

According to one teammate, Jennings is also a fast starter in games, and he tries to set the tone early as a stand-up outside linebacker on the edge of the defense. Speaking to Patriots.com, Jennings opened up about his leadership style and solid play this season.

"It was cool to be able to go back and see what kind of vibes you put out during the game because you kind of zone out when you're out there," Jennings said about being mic'd up last week. "Obviously, I try to [bring energy]. Being a good teammate, trying to encourage people, and having everybody on the same page."

Along with his leadership, Jennings is producing on the field. The former third-round draft pick's specialty is defending the run. New England primarily runs an odd front (3-4) two-gapping defensive system. Although it's important in all defensive schemes, the Patriots stress playing with a sturdy edge to funnel the ball back inside to their big run-stuffers.

Early in his career, the Patriots experimented with Jennings as an off-ball linebacker. Eventually, the 27-year-old returned to his college position as an on-the-line outside linebacker and began flourishing in an expanded role. Jennings then signed a three-year contract worth up to $12 million to return to the Patriots as a free agent this past offseason.

Over the last two seasons, Jennings has become one of the NFL's best run defenders. He is tied for the league lead with 23 run stops in 2024, one ahead of teammate Davon Godchaux, who is tied for third with 22 run stops on the year, per Pro Football Focus. Jennings also ranks 15th among 104 qualified front-seven defenders with an average run tackle depth of 1.7 yards.

"It all starts with mentality. I try to play with that type of attitude as far as I'm going to dominate my box and win my one-on-one matchup. Sometimes I'm able to do that and make the play," Jennings said. "I try to do my job and set the edge. Play with good fundamentals, good pad level and get off the block and make the play."

Jennings is excellent at pressing and shedding blocks. In the example above, Jennings is on the strong side of the formation, lined up over the tight end on the right side of the defense. The Jets try to block him with the tight end on an outside zone scheme. Jennings does an excellent job of sinking his hips to fire his hands in an upward motion, creating separation to set himself up to make the play, and then mirrors the running back to make the stop.

The Patriots coaching staff often highlights how Jennings does the dirty work in the run game. Sometimes, doing your job isn't about defeating a block or flying upfield to make a play. Instead, you have to absorb blocks to close gaps. During a recent media availability, outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins pointed to a rep by Jennings where he caved in a pulling guard on a counter scheme.

"This is a clinic rep. This is a teach-tape rep. We'll be sitting there next spring when we want to talk about that technique, and this play was the one that exemplifies that," Wilkins said. "When it's run at him, and he's at the point of attack, whether it's a tight end, a tackle, a puller, a flashing tight end. When he's at the point of attack, you're going to get some teach-tape reps."

"Sometimes, I'm not able to make the play. I just have to do my job. Overall, just good run fundamentals and good overall defense," Jennings explained.

Although he's at his best in the run game, Jennings is also improving as a pass rusher. Over the last several months, the Patriots have traded away two of their top pass-rushers. First, the team acquired a 2025 third-round draft choice from Atlanta for star pass-rusher Matthew Judon. Then, the Pats sent pass-rusher Joshua Uche to Kansas City for a 2026 sixth-round pick before Tuesday's trade deadline.

Due to those moves, Jennings has had slightly more opportunities to rush in obvious passing situations. Jennings has been on the field for 51% of opponents passing plays compared to 43.2 last season. His third-down usage has also increased, going from a 32.8% usage rate on third down in 2023 to a 40.2% snap percentage this season. Jennings has also been more productive. He's on pace for a career-high in pressures this season, logging four last week vs. the Titans, and is posting a pass-rush win rate of 7.5% (6.5% in 2023).

"It's something I've always worked on, we've always worked on. Just having the opportunity to actually rush. In the past, we've had several guys that have been able to get to the passer. I'm finally getting the opportunity, getting a chance to go out and rush the passer," Jennings said.

In his season-high four hurries vs. the Titans, Jennings had several good rushes, one-on-one or within a stunt. Above, Jennings is rushing on the right tackle. When the tackle's pass set opens the door for Jennings to go inside, he ends up pressuring Titans QB Mason Rudolph into an over-throw to help the defense get off the field on third down.

"I was just taking what he was giving me. He was giving me space inside. So I took the space. They're sitting on me at the line of scrimmage, so I just took what the offensive tackle gave me," Jennings told Patriots.com.

After losing several key defenders this season, the Patriots defense has been up and down. New England is not where it wants to be defensively from a statistical perspective, ranking 30th in DVOA and 21st in scoring defense at 24.1 points per game through nine weeks. Historically, the Pats defense has been very stingy, so the results have been disappointing.

That said, Jennings is one defender pulling his weight for the Patriots defense this season.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer