The New England Patriots found the right spot for Anfernee Jennings on their defense in 2023.

A third-round draft choice from Alabama in 2020, Jennings had 47 tackles while playing 635 defensive snaps in 30 games in the 2020 and 2022 seasons. Jennings took the opt-out in the 2021 campaign under the NFL’s plan to play during the coronavirus pandemic.

This season, Jennings has 46 tackles while playing 498 defensive snaps in 11 games.

“I’ve always felt like my career’s been off opportunities,” Jennings said. “I was never, I feel like, the main guy. I always had to work and do the stuff behind the scenes. Whenever I got my opportunity, I always tried to make the most of it, and it kind of paid off for me in the long run.”

When Jennings arrived in New England, the Patriots pegged him as an inside linebacker. But now, he’s an edge defender who has gone from meeting with assistant coach Jerod Mayo and the linebackers to meeting with assistant coach DeMarcus Covington and the defensive linemen.

“When we looked at Anfernee coming out, that’s a guy that did a lot of good things at Alabama, whether it was playing off the ball, on the ball, at buck, he did a good amount of things for them,” Covington said, “and really that’s how we use him here within our defense where he can do a good amount of things with his athletic ability. …

“He’s done a great job of carving out a role for himself. And again, you see in his performance, his preparation, his work, his day-to-day operation, his routine, you’re being able to see the seeds that he sowed for three years for us. Out there on Sundays or whatever day we play, you’re able to see that. And I’m glad he’s able to see the fruit.”

Jennings said he still meets with the linebackers sometimes.

“I started off here more with the linebackers in Mayo’s room,” Jennings said, “and I kind of try to still keep that relationship and try and go in there and meet sometimes just to let them know I’m still here. I consider myself a hybrid, so I do a little bit of everything and just keeping that alive.”

Jennings was inactive for New England’s first two games this season. But the former Dadeville High School standout has come on to start the Patriots’ past nine contests.

“His ability to take advantage of opportunities, and every year he’s played for us, he’s done hell of a job of just answering the bell every week,” Covington said. “Every week, get better. He’s gotten better every week. He does a really good job and he’s a part of the reason why our run defense has been so successful this year. I’m just excited for him, happy for him because he’s put in so much work. He’s gone a really good job. Whatever we ask him to do, he does it well beyond the task.”

New England has yielded the fewest rushing yards in the AFC, and opposing ball-carriers are averaging an NFL-low 3.2 yards per carry against the Patriots. Jennings has played a part in New England’s stellar statistics with his ability to “set the edge.”

“We hear it a lot,” Jennings said. “It’s a staple in this defense – being able to set the edge. It starts there. You can’t have a good run defense without setting the edge. …

“I feel like I could be a lot better, honestly. But you know I feel like stopping the run is all about attitude and being physical and just dominating your box. I always pride myself on being able to stop the run and being able to get after the quarterback.”

Despite the Patriots’ prowess against the run, New England has a 3-10 record.

“Obviously, the season’s not going as well as we wanted it to go,” Jennings said. “But definitely being out there more and getting more of an opportunity, I kind of gained confidence each and every week and getting more comfortable and just finding a routine and sticking to it and just trying to keep that up.”

New England plays the Kansas City Chiefs at noon CST Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.