Pro Football Focus has Trey Flowers as one of the NFL's top defensive ends

Getty Images

We all know the New England Patriots’ defense has had their fair share of struggles at the beginning of this year and throughout last season.

But here lately, they’ve been stepping up big time - especially fourth-year defensive end Trey Flowers.

According to Pro Football Focus, Flowers is currently the NFL’s best edge defender, with an overall grade of 90.8. Flowers has an NFL-best 90.1 run defense grade and a 10th-best 79.3 pass rushing score.

Through eight games, Flowers has racked up two sacks, 15 tackles, a forced fumble, six quarterback hits, 11 hurries, four tackles for losses and two passes deflected. He has taken 55.8 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps and more than 70 percent since he returned from a concussion in Week 4.

If Flowers remains productive and healthy, he could see a major payday soon. He is set to hit free agency this offseason, but let’s hope New England can get him want he wants.

Follow Megan on Twitter: @carnahanmegan