Dont'a Hightower Becoming a Dominant Chess Piece for Patriots Defense

In the black and white game of chess, placing your most powerful pieces in the middle of the board—with adequate protection, of course—leads to success. A piece like Dont'a Hightower has been able to strike to all areas of the board. He has taken the fight to the other side, attacking the opposing material with reckless abandon. He also is in position to retreat to protect his own territory.

In short, Hightower has been a nightmare not just for the black and white of the Oakland Raiders, but the purple and gold of the Minnesota Vikings and the teal and orange of the Miami Dolphins. Don't expect opposing offenses to wake up anytime soon if Hightower continues to play at an All-Pro level.

If you think that Hightower as an All-Pro might be overselling the 2012 first-round pick, you may be surprised. Hightower is the top-rated player on the Patriots defense, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and takes the top spot in their inside linebacker rankings.

Showcasing his versatility, Hightower also shows up in the top 20 of the 3-4 outside linebacker rankings, coming in at No. 17.

Those numbers make Hightower's uneven 2013 performance seem more like an aberration that can be blamed on Jerod Mayo's absence, rather than a lack of ability. He certainly has taken all aspects of his game to a new level.

After registering 17 pressures in 2013, Hightower ranks as the most efficient pass-rusher among 3-4 outside linebackers and eighth among inside linebackers through three games. He has already racked up 13 pressures—including two sacks—on just 43 rushes.

Hightower hasn't just excelled chasing the quarterback. He has flipped the script on his poor coverage in 2013—he was the lowest-ranked Patriot defender—and now leads the team. Better instincts, a higher motor and solid tackling have helped earn him such high marks.

In the following video, the Raiders are lined up in "11" personnel with twin receivers on Hightower's side. The Patriots counter with a 3-4 look, Hightower lined up at outside linebacker walked out over the slot receiver. At the snap, Hightower makes a quick read of the play and shoots past the line of scrimmage. He comes in under control and makes a solid open-field tackle on receiver Rod Streater.

Playing at the edge of control is exactly where the Patriots want Hightower. In the next play, the Raiders are again in "11" personnel, but the Patriots are in a nickel package sporting an even front. Hightower is lined up over the tight end on the weak side of the formation as an inside linebacker.

Dropping into zone, Hightower carries the "X" receiver through his zone, and then his instincts kick in. He makes his move toward Darren McFadden leaking out of the backfield before quarterback Tyler Wilson can even bring the ball up to throw.

McFadden doesn't even have a chance to turn around before 270 pounds of anger barrel through him.

Those sorts of plays aren't isolated incidents. Mike Reiss from ESPNBoston.com highlighted another set of plays that showcased Hightower's versatility:

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A three-play sequence from Dont'a Hightower (13:43-12:38 [in the second quarter]) showcased his physicality, versatility and athleticism as he is playing at a very high level right now in a three-down role. On third-and-7, he had a strong rush off the defensive left side, keeping his feet against a low block by running back Darren McFadden to produce a pressure on a completed pass. Then he followed up with a Brandon Spikes-like downhill thumping play in which he rocked rookie left guard Gabe Jackson before combining on the tackle of a 2-yard loss.

On the next play, Hightower nicely read a pass to fullback Marcel Reece in the flat and raced out to tackle him for a 2-yard loss. The 2012 first-round pick is playing as well as we've seen over the past three years.

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As long as defensive coordinator Matt Patricia continues to support Hightower's position in the middle of the field with strong defensive-line play and stellar work in the secondary, expect the third-year standout to continue his torrid pace.