The New England Patriots are still recovering from Tom Brady's departure, and rookie Mac Jones seems to be a viable replacement after beating out Cam Newton for the starting job. While he has never actually played a real NFL game before, he at least looks the part so far.

With Brady gone and winning Super Bowls elsewhere, the Patriots and Bill Belichick should be looking to get back into being the defensive juggernaut from a few seasons ago. The offense should be aiming to be just around league average as they continue building that group through the draft and free agency.

Right now it's Mac Jones leading Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, and the new tight end duo of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Damien Harris and James White look to be returning as the two feature backs. The offensive line is one of the best in the league, which should help bring this group to being right in the middle.

If the Patriots want to get back to being the Patriots everyone was afraid of, the defense has to step up big time.

Patriots X-Factor: Dont'a Hightower

Typically this role would've gone to Stephon Gilmore, but he's set to miss the first six weeks of the season because of an injury he suffered last season. Hightower takes over as a sort of new addition and someone who will need to lead this defense. 2020 saw many players opt out, with Hightower being one of them. The Patriots have to be looking forward to his return as he positively affects every single aspect of the defense. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019, racking up 5.5 sacks and 71 combined tackles.

The rest of the defense will have players like Devin McCourty, Lawrence Guy, and J.C. Jackson. Both McCourty and Jackson will be asked to step up quite a bit with Gilmore out for the first six games, and Guy will have to be holding down the defensive line. All of these players will have an increased role in getting this defense to an elite level, but perhaps none as big of a role as Hightower.

Hightower will be leading a group that needs to be league average or above for the Patriots to have a chance to make the playoffs again. Doing that is so much easier and probably guaranteed if Gilmore is ready to go, but the Patriots have to adapt immediately with him.

Since being drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft, Hightower has consistently been right in the middle of New England's dynasty on defense. It's still his time to be the main guy and be the leader Bill Belichick will be looking for. After opting out last season, it's likely that Hightower will only be more hungry and more ready to go for a crucial 2021 season in New England.

The team as a whole is intriguing, with a young offense on one side and a defense led largely by veterans. Mac Jones, Damien Harris, Jakobi Meyers and the others on offense are being trusted to bring a new offense to New England. That's a tall task with Tom Brady gone. The defense is being asked to do the same, at least for the start of the season, because Stephon Gilmore is not with them.

Brady is obviously the better player, but the Patriots' offensive scheme allows for Mac Jones to hopefully be a viable replacement. Can the Patriots replace Gilmore with someone on the roster is the question that will be answered as soon as Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. Hightower cannot replace a corner like Gilmore, but he can aid the young guys and be the leader this defense needs.