In the latest edition of our "Camp Checklist" previews for the upcoming Patriots season, the Boston Herald’s John Tomase talks about the young defensive players on the Patriots with Michael Felger. While the Patriots defense is a very veteran crew, there is some youth that has experience, along with a promising group of rookies. As you see in the list below, some guys like Vince Wilfork and Ellis Hobbs are starters (Pro Bowler in Wilfork’s case). James Sanders and Mike Wright have been impressive part-time players. Pierre Woods has been a very good special teams contributor, and should see more time in the regular rotation with Eric Alexander.

The key to the growth of the young D centers around 1st Round Pick Jerod Mayo. All signs through the national experts season previews and mini-camp point to a fairly big contribution from Mayo from the get-go.

Here is a look at some of the young talent on D for the Pats:

26 years-old: Vince Wilfork, Pierre Woods, Mike Wright, Eric Alexander

25 years-old: LeKevin Smith, Ellis Hobbs

24 years-old: James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather

23 years-old: Shawn Crable, Terrence Wheatley

22 years-old: Jerod Mayo