Starting to take a closer look at what the Patriots currently have on the roster, and the top draft prospects at each position.
Previously:
LINEBACKERS
Current Patriots Roster
Raekwon McMillian (contract year), Mack Wilson (contract year), Harvey Langi (contract year), Jahlani Tavai (contract year), Terez Hall (restricted), Ja’Whaun Bentley (2023), Anfernee Jennings (2023), Cam McGrone (2024).
Free Agents: Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins.
Patriots Historical Drafting
Over the last 15 years, the Patriots have made 20 selections. Thirteen of those picks have come from major conferences, with the SEC and Big 10 leading the way. Interestingly, they haven’t picked a LB from the Big 12 or ACC over that period. But they weren’t afraid to pick guys from smaller conferences (7).
The Patriots hit home runs with Jerod Mayo (Tennessee) and Dont’a Hightower (Alabama); both first-rounders. They also did well with second-rounders Jamie Collins (Southern Miss) and Brandon Spikes (Florida). They’ve added some Day 3 picks who have been helpful contributors Ja’Whaun Bentley (Purdue), Elandon Roberts (Houston), and Kamu Grugier-Hill (Eastern Illinois), albeit for other teams.
Draft Expectations for the Position
From a league perspective, draft numbers aren’t as clear because of how teams classify linebackers (LB vs. OLB/Edge). So, the numbers are inflated but according to the NFL, over the last 5 years, there've been 4.4 linebackers selected in the first round.
This year is an above-average class with good depth. There are really two potential first-rounders and then there are a handful of really good players that fit the Patriots scheme and need in the Rounds 2-3. I like most of those second-tier players (Chad Muma, Quay Walker, Damone Clark, Leo Chanel, Troy Anderson).
This is a position the Patriots are likely to target at some point in the draft. They traditionally have gone for bigger, stronger linebackers that can withstand the box where things get tighter and move faster in the NFL game. But keep in mind, Teddy Bruschi was one of the best Patriot linebackers over the last 20 years, so they aren’t afraid to go smaller if the player has the right traits (leadership, toughness/physicality, smarts, and blitzing ability). Last year’s pick, Cameron McGrone, isn’t the biggest LB either (6-foot-1, 234).
Patriots fans are begging for them to get more athletic at the LB position and over the last couple of years, the NFL is seeing a trend towards coverage LBs. These guys are either bigger safeties in college or smaller linebackers, but they can specialize against backs and tight ends. The best fit for the Patriots as a coverage backer is Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma). For what it’s worth, the Patriots have been using Adrian Phillips and Kyle Duggar in those types of roles.
Potential First-Rounders
LB Devin Lloyd, Utah (6-foot-3, 237 pounds): I have him ranked as the best linebacker in the class. He has a really good combination of size, playing experience/recognition skills, and athleticism. He’s a former safety who is good in coverage (3 career INTs for touchdowns). His versatility allows him to play all 3 downs; tackles against the run, he can cover backs and tight ends (former safety had 3 career INTs returned for TDs) and can rush the passer (8 sacks this year). He’s comfortable playing in space and shows good range on tape. He’s a smart guy and can sometimes freelance, something the Patriots will want to get comfortable with. The two-time Butkus Award finalist is a captain and known as a leader inside the program. He reminds me of San Francisco 49er Fred Warner or maybe even the upside of Colt, Darius Leonard.
LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia (5-11, 229): He’s the leader of that renowned Georgia defense. I love this kid’s energy and physicality; he plays fast and is really smart. His athleticism translates to the football field, and he stacks the stat sheet with tackles, sacks, turnovers, etc. He doesn’t fit the traditional mold of an interior LB for the Patriots but he's a player and they could use his athleticism. He may play faster than Lloyd but covering tight ends will be a challenge given his size. The difficult part of his evaluation is that he was surrounded and protected by elite talent while at Georgia. A legitimate question he’ll need to address on the field next year. But the Butkus Award winner is someone the Patriots should look at closely and I expect he’ll be a good player at the NFL level.
Potential Fits for the Patriots by Round
Round 1: Devin Lloyd.
I would be content with either of these guys, but I prefer Lloyd a little more because of his base size and background as a former safety.
Round 2: Quay Walker, Georgia (6-4, 241).
He has ideal size for an NFL linebacker and his best football is in front of him. He’ll be able to play in any scheme with length and athleticism. He’s not a clean evaluation with all the talent around him (as I said with Dean, they were so dominating at many positions) and at times he freelanced so the Patriots will have to get comfortable with his instincts. He tested very well at the Combine but more importantly, he reportedly did well in interviews and showed good play intelligence. That could force a team to fall in love with him. If he’s not available, I really like Chad Muma (Wyoming). Those that scouted Wyoming’s program felt he was better than former teammate and current Bengal, Logan Wilson. He’s a tackling machine who should play a long time in the league. He has the size (6-3, 239) and instincts the Patriots like and he’s a former safety (3 INTs this year).
Round 3: Damone Clark, LSU (6-2, 240).
He wore the fabled #18 on the LSU defense which is given to the player who displays a selfless attitude and epitomizes the LSU tradition. He was third in the country with 136 tackles, and he has the size the Patriots look for in the middle of their defense. He’s a smart player and his play speed is probably his best trait (4.57 in the 40). I was impressed by his tape against Alabama; he showed playmaking ability and nice sideline to sideline coverage (8 tackles, 2 TFL and 1 sack). In college he used his athleticism to get to ball carriers but, in the NFL, he’ll need to do a better job with play diagnosis and releasing blockers. He’ll excel on special teams and be excellent in the locker room.
Round 4: Channing Tindall, Georgia (6-2, 230).
He got better as the year went on and he was dominating in the game I watched against Tennessee. Those inside the program say he's the guy you want in the "dark alley". Tindall has average size and he's not anything special in the box but he's great at tracking ball carriers and hits like an 18-wheeler when he arrives at contact. His coverage ability will be important in him being able to see the field. I think he could be a huge asset on special teams and fits a rotational role to start his career.
Round 5: Kyron Johnson, Kansas (6-1, 235).
While he looks like a small LB, Johnson was 2nd-team All-Big 12 as an Edge player. Watching him at the Senior Bowl he had surprisingly good power and great quickness. At this pro day he ran 4.38 (unofficial) in the 40, which would be the fastest time for a linebacker. His positional fit would be as a blitzing LB and an ace special team’s player. Deep sleeper but someone the Patriots will value more than most teams. If the Patriots went with a traditional MLB, I do like D’Marco Jackson (Appalachian State). He’s a team captain with good speed and intensity.
Round 6: Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M (6-2, 239).
He looks good in a uniform, and he is one of those guys that the NFL values because of the evolving shift towards open offensive schemes and the requirement to match up in space. That said, he needs refinement, reading plays and anticipating schemes. He oozes athleticism and he could be a future starter which creates good value at this point. Also, I wrote about Malcom Rodriquez (Oklahoma State) quite a bit this year. He’s just a good football player that could fit the Larry Izzo role for the Patriots.
Round 7: Kuony Deng, California (6-6, 240).
He's a two-year captain that averaged 8 tackles a game in his career before suffering a leg injury early in the season. He's gifted physically with elite length which helps in the passing game. He's another player that may be better fit on the edge and he's raw for the NFL game. He’s not on the media radar but he’s a good late-round target with upside.
Potential Free Agent: Diego Fagot, Navy (6-2, 237).
The Defensive MVP of the Shrine Bowl plays with good instincts and physicality. He was a productive player at Navy (led the team in tackles the last 3 years) and he's known as a great leader within that program. Given Bill Belichick’s obvious Navy connections this would be a good home for Diego.