Defensive snapshot via playing time – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Great must-read stuff in here. My favorite nuggets below:

Jones is a leading candidate for defensive rookie of the year honors at this point, according to ESPN.com NFL scout Matt Williamson. … Ninkovich has played mostly end, but moved to linebacker for a short stretch when rookie Dont’a Hightower was out with a hamstring injury. … Nice rebound season from Cunningham, the 2010 second-round pick who has found his niche as an interior rusher in sub packages and backup end.

Spikes’ rise is particularly notable, as he’s strung together games without interruption from injury and/or suspension. He played 40.1 percent of the snaps last season, usually coming off in sub packages. But this year he’s staying on the field in the nickel, as evidenced by his higher total (77.3 percent).

Moore, the team’s primary nickelback since Week 2, was available for any team to claim and no one did. That speaks to how his upside is viewed around the NFL.