Scouting report

Matthew Judon, Patriots outside linebacker

Information for this report was obtained from NFL scouts.

Judon, 6-foot-3, 261 pounds, is in his second season with the Patriots after signing a four-year, $54.5 million contract in free agency following five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Judon had a career-high 12 ½ sacks last season and is off to a fast start with six this year, tied for second in the league. He also has five tackles for a loss and 12 quarterback hits.

The Ravens drafted Judon in the fifth round in 2016 out of LSU, and he quickly filled the role Pernell McPhee had before he signed with the Bears in free agency.

“I have never seen Judon as a top-tier edge rusher,” the scout said. “He’s not in the category of Myles Garrett or the Bosas. He needs scheme to help him. That doesn’t mean he can’t win one-on-ones; he can. But he’s not a consistent top-tier producer.

“He fits into the scheme and has the traits within the scheme to create pass-rush disruption, and you are seeing that now because (the Patriots) are so heavily schemed on the defensive front. He can rush from a two-point stance, he can play in a three-point. You will see him move around the front, and they use so much slanting and angling and looping it creates even more pass-rush opportunities for him.

“In terms of winning one-on-ones, he has very good hand usage. He’s very physical. He’s got pretty good short-area burst, enough when he’s going against a young, inexperienced tackle, like you see in Chicago. I would be really surprised if (Bill) Belichick doesn’t scheme a bunch of one-on-ones for him and make the tackle block Judon.

“That will give the Patriots favorable opportunities, and Justin Fields better be ready to get the ball out.”