With the draft upon us, one of the more popular big-time need for the Patriots is a speedy linebacker that can make plays from sideline to sideline. Someone who is an upgrade over the slog of veterans we've seen in recent years — Ja'Whaun Bentley, Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, et al.
There's no question the Patriots need to get faster at linebacker, and the team has been admitting as much, whether that's in conversations with their own players, agents or other teams.
While there's certainly potential impact players available in the draft, they might not do better than the linebacker they obtained in a trade from the Browns for Chase Winovich: Mack Wilson — similar to receiver and the trade for DeVante Parker.
After watching the film on Wilson, there's a lot to like. Our breakdown on Wilson, where he fits with the Patriots and the key unanswered questions about him, including seven clips of video analysis:
What kind of player is he?
Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
2019 5th-round pick of Browns
6-1 1/8, 240 pounds
4.69 40-yard dash, 7.20 3-cone
What OurLads.com said about him:
MACK WILSON: Alabama, 6011 240 4.69. Junior entry from Montgomery AL. First year starter in 2018 after outstanding special team and situational play in the two previous seasons. Wilson broke out this season demonstrating what NFL teams want in an every down linebacker. Outstanding initial read and react with normally exact fits at inside gaps. Takes the proper path to the ball and can adjust on the move. Fluid change of direction with range to chase across the field. Smooth lateral movement with a burst to run to the alley or edge. Explosive knee bender attacking blocks with a strong strike with the hands. Makes tackles in space with fundamental form and power to finish. Quick getting into a pass drop with a sense for pattern pressure. Uses peripheral vision to see threats. Sudden plant and drive reacting on the throw with ball skills for interception and pass breaks. Very productive in coverage as he also shows man-to-man skill covering backs and tight ends. Mirrors route breaks and can stay with a vertical route. In limited reps showed some blitz skill hitting gaps. Not a dynamic downhill player as he is at his best laterally. Wilson is still a developing prospect as playing time early in his career was limited by the outstanding Alabama linebacker corps. His production along with his upside will be very attractive to teams looking for an every down linebacker. Special team play is a plus and he is a solid second day pick. 2018 stats: 71 T, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 5 PBU, 7 QBH, 1 INT. Did not work out at Combine. Second/third round. (A-32 3/8, H-9 1/4, BP-DNP, SS-4.50).
There's no question that Wilson slid in this draft. The Montgomery Advertiser did a nice story on the whole situation ...
... There were some indications of something brewing in the days leading up to the draft, with an anonymous scout reportedly telling longtime Green Bay Packers beat writer Bob McGinn that Wilson erred in even entering the draft early, specifically citing some at Alabama that were upset by his decision to go against head coach Nick Saban’s recommendation to stay in school another year.
“He made a really bad decision coming out,” McGinn wrote in a column on the linebackers in the class published April 23. “… He never took the next step. Then he surprised Nick (Saban) and came out this year. He pissed a lot of people off in Tuscaloosa.”
Whether or not those “people” in Tuscaloosa had a tangible influence on Wilson’s plummeting draft stock is unclear, but what was obvious to Wilson’s representation was the lack of constructive support coming from the Mal Moore Athletic Complex once their client chose to leave school early.
“We understand that there was maybe a level of indifference that was placed on him from maybe Alabama as a result of him choosing to come out as a junior,” Wilson’s agent, Che Mock, said later Saturday, without elaborating. “We understand that there was some level of questions (about his) character, for whatever reason, because of the fact that there’s a perception that he likes to, you know, have a social (media) presence.
“But in the same respect, none of that, in the three years at being at the University of Alabama, ever was looked upon (negatively). And for whatever reason, as he went through the draft, it was. Whether that played into (his draft slide), I can’t imagine any other reason why he would have dropped.”
At some point around 1 p.m. Saturday, multiple reports surfaced that concerns with Wilson’s “character/attitude” led to his tumble down draft boards, with both DallasCowboys.com writer and radio personality Bryan Broaddus and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler publicly addressing the issue.
Responding to a fan’s question at 1:15 p.m., Brugler tweeted he was aware of at least one team that had completely removed Wilson from its draft board due to his perceived “attitude issues.”
“That definitely surprised me because I don’t have no attitude issues with no coaches – you can ask my coaches at Bama,” Wilson said. “I don’t know where that even came from. You can ask any coach I ever played for, I’ve never had an attitude issue. Maybe when I was younger, but as of now, nah, that ain’t me.”
Earlier this spring, Saban went on a bit of a diatribe regarding players without first-round grades leaving school early for the NFL, indirectly citing former Alabama safety Ronnie Harrison — who was a third-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars last year — as an example of how a player can be hurt by entering the NFL early.
“Now, we have guys that have no draft grades, seventh-round grades, free-agent grades, fifth-round grades that are going out of the draft, and the person that loses in that is the player,” Saban said April 6. “If you’re a third-round draft pick, and we had one here last year (Harrison, who) goes and starts for his team, so he’s making third-round money, which is not that great. He’d be the first guy taken at his position this year, probably, and make $15-18 million more. … When people make emotional decisions, they’re going to have to suffer some really difficult consequences for themselves in the future because you don’t have to go out for the draft early.”
This sort of shapes Wilson's NFL predicament to this point ...
He mostly played in base defense for the Browns would play strong-side linebacker. Would be removed against 11 personnel. I don't understand why other than the Browns like to use safeties and higher picks.
I'm guessing the Patriots were asking themselves the same question as I was when it came time to scouting the Browns before the game last season: Why isn't Mack Wilson playing, and why are they playing him there and like that? That's often how trade thoughts start.
PLAYER STRENGTHS
First of all, he's put together well. His lower body is big from his calves to his thighs to his butt. Strong upper body. Seems to be in great shape overall. Whereas Bentley can look soft at times, Wilson is a physical specimen. He looks the part. ... Moves extremely well to cover sideline to sideline. Takes on blockers. Will outrace teammates to the ball. Good awareness in space. Gets downhill quickly and has nice burst to the ball. ... Excitable player. ... He can cover tight ends and backs out of the backfield.
WEAKNESSES
Has some issues with taking the correct angle to the ball. Not great at taking on blockers, but not poor either. Certainly willing and doesn't lack courage. . You wonder how clear he is on assignments. At times he can be late due to false steps. Sometimes doesn't appear to be lined up correctly. Adjustments come very late and often too late. ... At times, Wilson looks a bit lost. In the opener vs Chiefs, I had to check if the coordinator and/or scheme were new because Wilson didn't appear to know what he was doing. It's odd because it was the same scheme and coordinator Joe Woods is a veteran and is widely respected.
WHERE DOES HE FIT?
Brown had him as a strongside linebacker, but he is definitely a weakside backer or middle linebacker for the Patriots. He can play all four downs in this scheme (he's also good on special teams). ... Not sure why Wilson wasn't quite on point with the Browns' scheme and adjustments. It will be imperative for the Patriots, especially inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to school Wilson up on the Patriot scheme and his responsibilities. Don't see anything on film where he doesn't want to perform his duties. There's just some sort of disconnect. Patriots have to figure out what that is if they can unlock that, they have quite a player on their hands.
It seems like Wilson should have stayed in school, and that he was immature as a football player when he declared. NFL teams assessed him right coming out. But if Wilson matures, studies hard and Mayo takes him under his wing, there's no reason why Wilson can't be a bonafide starter here with real impact. He would be an upgrade over anything they have — if Wilson's ready to take the next step. He doesn't lack anything.
VIDEO ANALYSIS
The good...
The iffy ...
