Where does Hicks' departure leave Patriots D-line?

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In the final four games of the 2015 regular season, Akiem Hicks was a menace.

The 6-foot-5, 324-pound defensive tackle that the Patriots acquired in a trade with the Saints for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, had eight tackles in the first 12 games of the season. He had 15 tackles and three sacks in the final four games.

That well-timed flurry – which came after Dominique Easley was injured and Hicks’ playing time increased – undoubtedly raised Hicks’ profile on the free agent market. He was scooped up by the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Hicks said on a Monday conference call that, "there was a great effort for us to work something out (with the Patriots) but I found that Chicago would be a better fit."

So where does that leave the Patriots?

Well, they’re certainly not better than they were on the last day of the 2015 season. Hicks – although very different from the leaner, quicker Easley, who uses a penetrating style to succeed – figured to be a great complementary option up front as Easley works back from the thigh injury that landed him on IR.

But the Patriots aren’t devoid of talent by any means.

Hicks was a run-stopper first but was showing an ability to be a pocket-collapser as well. He was faster and more athletic than the aging Alan Branch, who the Patriots will have back next season. But Branch can still play. And Malcom Brown, last year’s first-round pick, definitely can play. He was terrific all year after coming in as the successor to Vince Wilfork. Trey Flowers and Geneo Grissom were also slim-line defensive linemen added in the draft. Grissom had a nice first season. Flowers landed on IR. Ishmaa’ily Kitchen (6-1, 330), Chris Jones and Joe Vellano also are still around. The team has moved on from Sealver Siliga, who is now taking free agent visits elsewhere.

If he doesn’t find a spot (he’s visiting Seattle), it wouldn’t be unprecedented to see the Patriots reel him back in if they feel they need more depth.

The Hicks-Brown combo could have been a tough one for teams to try and run against for years. But Hicks' late-season work earned him options. And he took one in Chicago.

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