Six for the 2019 Draft: LBs - Early, middle and late prospects for Patriots - New England drafting with one eye on future

As we count down to the 2019 NFL draft, we’ll take the measure of the Patriots by position and offer up six prospects at each spot on the field that should be available early (first round), middle (second day) and late (third day). Let’s get to the off-ball linebackers.

Previous positions

Corners
Receivers
Edge
Quarterbacks
Tight ends
Running backs
Offensive tackles

THE SKINNY

Let’s start with what we know: when you look at the fact the Patriots have Ja’Whaun Bentley and Christian Sam set to join a group that includes Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts in 2019, off-ball linebacker doesn’t initially scream out as a position of need for New England, at least right now. But if the Patriots lean on Hightower as more of an edge presence, that could open up a need in the middle for an extra body, at least in the short term. In the long run, it’s important to keep in mind the situations around Van Noy and Roberts (both are in a contract year) and Hightower (signed for two more years). In short, the Patriots might not need a rookie off-ball linebacker to play significant snaps in 2019, but it’s always important to keep one eye on the future.

POSSIBLE EARLY TARGET

Mack Wilson, Alabama

Patriots scheme fit: Inside linebacker
Why he makes sense: Can’t go wrong with an Alabama linebacker. This 6-foot-1, 240-pounder is probably the one guy on his list who has the pedigree to play significant snaps in 2019 at the NFL level if needed. An inside guy who can work on first and second down against the run, he’s also adept enough to serve as a coverage option as needed (he had two interceptions and five pass breakups last year). I don’t necessarily think they’d go after him as a second rounder, but if they did, it could set up an interesting battle for playing time with the likes of Bentley and Roberts.



(Just a heads up--you might want to make sure you hit mute on your computer before pressing play on the highlight packages.)



POSSIBLE MIDDLE TARGETS

Germaine Pratt, North Carolina State

Patriots scheme fit: oversized safety, coverage LB, special teams
Why he makes sense: Watch Pratt on film and see his development, and it’s hard not to be really intrigued by what he might be able to do at the next level. A former college safety who has grown into his frame (he’s 6-foot-2, 240 pounds), he’s got a nice speed-power combination, and can get after the quarterback as well as drop into coverage. Last year, he was first-team All-ACC honors with 104 tackles (a team-high 10.5 for loss) while tying for the team lead with six sacks in 11 games. While he’s still making the transition from one position to another — he really only played one year as a true linebacker in college — he’s got the sort of versatile skill set the Patriots’ like. In the right spot and with the right team, they might be willing to nurture his development as a backup for a year or two before he took on greater responsibilities. Likely a late Day 2 or early Day 3 option for New England.



Bobby Okereke, Stanford

Patriots scheme fit: backup, special teamer
Why he makes sense: Like a lot of guys on this list, Okereke is heavy on the intangibles (collegiate team captain, he was also an Eagle Scout) and special teams experience. A 6-foot-1, 239-pounder who was worked out by Nick Caserio after Stanford’s Pro Day, he led Stanford with 96 tackles last season, and added 4.5 sacks and five pass breakups as well. That earned him All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors. He could be a late Day 2 possibility, but is more likely a Day 3 option.



POSSIBLE LATE TARGETS

Kaden Elliss, Idaho

Patriots scheme fit: backup, special teamer, potential gadget guy
Why he makes sense: A terrific 3-cone time (6.63 seconds), deep bloodlines in the game (his father played in the NFL for 10 years) and an outside-the-box skill set (he played every linebacker spot as a collegian, as well as tight end — 10 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns as a junior and senior) make the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Elliss an intriguing Day 3 or UDFA possibility for New England. He’s got that chip-on-your-shoulder attitude the Patriots’ love, one that was nurtured by a combine snub.



Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame

Patriots scheme fit: backup, special teams
Why he makes sense: When you get to Day 3, you go looking for guys who meet as many guidelines as possible, and while Tranquill might not necessarily be a Pro Bowler, he has a lot of the characteristics New England looks for in a late-round or UDFA pickup. A two-time captain at Notre Dame (he was also named a captain at the Senior Bowl) who had two torn ACLs in college, he’s got extensive special teams experience, is considered a high-character guy, and posted great combine numbers (6.94 in the 3-cone, and led all linebackers at the combine with 31 reps in the bench press). Like we said, he isn’t likely to be a Pro Bowler, but if you need someone who won’t shy from special teams duties and has a clear love of the game, this 6-foot-2, 234-pounder could be the guy.



Sione Takitaki, BYU

Patriots scheme fit: backup, special teams
Why he makes sense: A 6-foot-1, 238-pounder, Takitaki was a sideline-to-sideline linebacker at the college level, but this team captain — who went from being kicked off the team as a freshman to team leader in 2018 — looks tailor-made for special teams in the NFL. He's high-motor player who is as intense as they come. The Patriots have reportedly shown an interest in Takitaki, which makes sense for a team that’s seemingly always had that sort of linebacker/special teams’ demon on the roster.