With Patriots camp set to open Thursday, we wanted to reset the roster at each position and give you a few things we’ll be keeping an eye on down in Foxborough. So far, we’ve previewed the quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, receivers, offensive line, and defensive line. In this segment, we break down the linebackers.
New England is set to welcome back Dont’a Hightower, and not a moment too soon. A defensive captain, he’s one of the most valuable guys on the roster. While there will be others who are in and out the lineup, Hightower is the key. Look for Kyle Van Noy to be part of the conversation as well, as well as returnees Elandon Roberts and Marquis Flowers. Youngsters Ja’Whaun Bentley and Christian Sam could challenge for playing time, while Harvey Langi is back after a serious car crash ended his 2017 season.
No. 1: Dont’a Hightower
Position: Inside linebacker with some positional flexibility.
The good: The centerpiece of the New England defense, there’s a sense of balance in Foxborough with him back in the lineup. If he can stay on the field, there’s no reason to think this can’t be a Top 10 defense. He’s that important.
The questionable: Durability. No one is questioning his toughness — he’s one of the toughest guys on the roster at a position that demands it — but the truth of the matter is he’s only had one year where he’s played 16 regular-season games.
Skinny: The third-most valuable member of the team behind Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, Hightower’s health is one of the things that will determine just how far this team goes in 2018.
No. 2: Kyle Van Noy
Position: Inside linebacker
The good: After Hightower went down last year, he did as well as could be expected stepping into the middle of the defense. A defender with good speed, he played 67 percent of the snaps, most of any of the linebackers.
The questionable: Not a great run-stopper.
Skinny: He’s not Hightower, but he carved out a niche as a dependable, complementary presence in the middle. As a result, he earned the right to be considered the guy next to Hightower as a starter at the dawn of camp.
No. 3: Elandon Roberts
Position: Inside linebacker.
The good: A big-hitter capable of punishing ballcarriers, he was asked to do more down the stretch after the Patriots lost Hightower for the season.
The questionable: Coverage issues. Has a tendency to pick the wrong gap.
Skinny: His experience from last year will certainly help him when it comes to his development, but could still face a challenge for playing time from rookies Sam and/or Bentley.
No. 4: Marquis Flowers
Position: Coverage linebacker/special teamer.
The good: Good quickness. Did well to adapt when he arrived shortly before the start of the season, becoming part of the linebacker rotation after Hightower went down and showing some good pass rush skills. Good special teams value — he played 46 percent of the special teams snaps in 2017, more than any other linebacker on the roster.
The questionable: He’s more of a complementary player/special teams player than a starter at this stage of his career.
Skinny: With the return of Hightower, Flowers will still be an occasional part of the linebacking rotation, but will chip in more as a special teamer.
No. 5: Harvey Langi
Position: Linebacker.
The good: Active presence. A smart defender who showed some real promise in last year’s preseason, he would have been part of the linebacking rotation if he had managed to stay healthy all year.
The questionable: An October car accident left him with injuries to his neck and head. He was out for the rest of the 2017 season. He looked good this spring, but it’s fair to wonder how he’ll respond this summer.
Skinny: If he’s healthy, he’ll be part of the linebacking corps in 2018.
No. 6: Nicholas Grigsby
Position: Inside linebacker/special teamer.
The good: Came in late and only saw action in four games, but delivered some hellacious special teams hits last year, playing 18 percent of special teams snaps for the season.
The questionable: Not much more than a special teamer, at least at this stage of his career.
Skinny: His special teams' skills will really help him out, but barring something extraordinary, it’s a stretch to see him as a regular member of the regular linebacking rotation.
No. 7: Brandon King
Position: Inside linebacker with some positional versatility.
The good: Standout special teamer with great speed. A linebacker/safety hybrid, he’s got the sort of gonzo attitude and quickness you need to make it in New England as a special teamer.
The questionable: Not good enough to be considered an every down defender, at least at this stage of his career.
Skinny: Will be a member of the special teams core, but unless something unforeseen happens don’t look for him to get significant snaps on defense.
No. 8: Christian Sam (per Patriots' style, we've listed the rookies as last on the depth chart)
Position: Inside linebacker with some positional flexibility.
The good: Nice versatility — he started his college career as a cornerback before moving to linebacker. Good sideline-to-sideline speed and coverage skills. Led the Pac 12 with 127 tackles last season.
The questionable: He’s a rookie. A look at his college tape shows a guy who occasionally overruns plays.
Skinny: Love the potential versatility. (If his speed in college translates to the NFL, this is a guy who might be able to eventually replace Jordan Richards in that big safety role they had him in last year.) But let’s start with earning a spot on special teams, and then, we’ll go from there.
No. 9: Ja’Whaun Bentley
Position: Inside linebacker.
The good: Terrific leadership — the only three-year captain in the history of Purdue football. A middle-of-the-field thumper, his college film shows a high-motor guy with a thirst for contact.
The questionable: He’s a rookie. He projects as a first- and second-down defender, but will he be savvy and speedy enough to stay on the field when it comes to third down and other passing situations?
Skinny: Like Sam, this is a guy who will have to make his bones on special teams and go from there when it comes to playing time. It’ll be interesting to see if he has what it takes to challenge Roberts or some of the other inside linebackers when it comes to playing time.