Dont'a Hightower's pass rush a bright spot for the Patriots

Hightower tracks down a fumble against Miami,  via Press Herald

Dont'a Hightower didn't have the best 2013 campaign, but he wasn't awful either.

The former 2012 first round pick has all the physical tools to be an impact player on defense, but it appears he doesn't have that fire sometimes. There were times last year where I questioned his effort and how much he wanted to be out there. However, Hightower had an increased role with the injury to Mayo, so that could haveattributed to his struggles.

Being a first round pick, and the best linebacker on the nations top defense in Alabama, the expectations around Hightower are going to be high every year due to his pedigree. Such was the case this year. Fans and the media are still holding out hope that he can be the same impact player here that he was at Alabama, or at least something close to that.

Hightower has been given more of a pass-rushing role this year, and he did a good job this past Sunday, according to ProFootballFocus he totaled four quarterback hits and one quarterback hurry and had a pass rush rating of 1.1. He was ranked tied as their ninth best 3-4 outside linebacker in the league for the opening week.

PFF highlighted Hightower as a greatly improved pass rusher from last season.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower had four combined sacks and hits in 2013, which is the same amount he had against the Dolphins. He was one of just four players with four combined sacks/hits this week.

Hightower only recorded one tackle, but the numbers are still a positive for him. If he can get to the quarterback that often throughout the season, he's going to rack up some sacks. I would like to see him make a few more tackles, but if he is going to be in more of a pass-rushing role, the tackle numbers will naturally decline a little bit. I'm still not sold on Hightower being a force on defense quite yet, but if he keeps this up, he could very well become what Patriot fans have been hoping for since he was drafted in 2012.

Follow me on Twitter - @b_thibs34

For more of my articles, click here.