Beau Allen's impact on the New England Patriots defense this season

The Patriots signed defensive tackle Beau Allen to a two year contract in the spring. Allen has missed 6 games since entering the league back in 2014. If his name sounds familiar, it's because he was part of the Eagles superbowl 52 team.

Like undrafted free agent Nick Coe, Allen has been compared to Richard Seymour and Trey Flowers. Defensive tackles who can play on the edge. That's according to Justin Trombino of Musket Fire.

Allen joins a versatile group of defensive tackles, that includes Butler, Cowart, Courtney Wallace, Nick Coe, and Bill Murray.

According to Trombino What makes Allen useful is his ability "to add to his versatility and athleticism — he has experience playing in 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes, which starts to set him apart from the rest of the pack." 

Trombino should take a closer look at the rest of the tackles and rethink that statement.

Having tackles that can play the edge, gives the Patriots versatile when playing run heavy teams. The Patriots can disguise their front or run a 5 defensive linemen Nickle or Dime formation, with Hightower as the lone linebacker.

Allen is just not a defender. He plays special teams and offense as a fullback. With the loss of Elandon Roberts, the Patriots need an emergency fullback. 

Belichick has enough big men to fill the hole left by Danny Shelton, the question we will soon have answered is; who has the ability.