Building off our 2023 Patriots depth chart and team needs, we'll take a 10,000-foot view of each need, by order of importance, with internal options to address it, free agent/trade possibilities and a quickie view of the position in the draft (plenty of time for that after free agency).
Need #1: Free safety
Need #2: Offensive tackle
Need #3: Tight end
Need #4: Cornerback
____________________
Team Need #4: Linebacker
On the roster: Ja'Whaun Bentley (2024 UFA), Jalani Tavai (2025 UFA)
Futures contracts: Olakunle Fatukasi, Calvin Munson, Terez Hall.
Free agents: Raekwon McMillan, Mack Wilson.
My thinking on the Patriots and their linebacking position is fairly well-established. For today's game and against the better offenses, they are too slow and not impactful enough. They stand out and make plays against the weakling on the schedule, but completely disappear (along with the rest of the defense) against good QBs and offenses.
It's time for Bill Belichick to evolve ... and to do that, they don't have much on the roster.
Bentley is a good, solid inside linebacker. He's smart and tough, shoots some gaps and gets pressure on blitzes, but he's middling compared to the NFL. Tavai is a backup that can help if needed inside and on the edge. A poor man's Kyle Van Noy.
After that — and retread special teams-types like Munson and Hall — there is one intriguing name that has been thrown into the mix: Fatukasi, the Rutgers grad. He's a well-put-together 6-2, 240 pounds with good speed. He was an undrafted free agent for the Bucs and not only did he make the team (causing special teams ace Grant Stuard to be traded), but he was active for 13 games before being released in December.
Fatukasi had a great preseason in the preseason, leading the team with 20 tackles, also recording 3 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups. Against the Titans, he had 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
“He had a good camp the whole way through,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles told reporters after the final cutdown. “He was consistent, he made plays, he lined up at both spots, he got better and better each week. He forced himself on this team. He made us take notice and he was consistent.”
Now, that being said ... he played just one snap on defense in special teams in 13 games. It's odd the Bucs kept him on the roster for 13 games but just released him. Perhaps they thought they could get him to the practice squad. The Broncos signed him to their taxi squad, then was released before New England added him.
I could see Fatukasi popping on the practice field pretty early and sticking as a special teams-first player, similar to early Elandon Roberts. For now, he replaces Wilson.
But the Patriots need a lot better and fast, especially with Bentley entering a walk year.
TOP-TIER FREE AGENTS
Tremaine Edmunds, Bills (25 years old): He's basically Belichick's dream linebacker — think Brandon Spikes with actual speed — at 6-5 and strong. But he is going to cost a ton of money — like $18 million a year. I'd be shocked if that was with the Patriots, but you never know.
Lavonte David, Bucs (33): Still playing at a very high level, but will be more appealing to Cover 2 teams.
David Long, Titans (26): Love Long. He excelled for Mike Vrabel and make plays all over the field. If Belichick was going to bring in a smaller player (5-11), this would be the guy at around $10 million per season. Put him next to Bentley, move him to the middle when Bentley is a free agent, now you have something.
Bobby Okereke, Colts (27): He was a beast against the Patriots two years ago with an athletic INT of Mac Jones, and looks even better after seamlessly subbing for Shaq Leonard at MLB. Very tempting.
Germaine Pratt, Bengals (27): Had a career year and is considered one of the best coverage LBs in the game. Played well in a lot of big games.
TJ Edwards, Eagles (27): Coming off a career year where he defended the run and covered well.
MID-TIER FREE AGENTS
Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys (27): Another big linebacker with good speed, a lack of durability is always the issue. He was available last year and had no takers, but he's coming off a healthy season.
Azeez Al-Shaair, 49ers (26): Could be a diamond in the rough after being stuck behind studs Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Got a second-round tender as a UDFA a year ago, signaling the 49ers were afraid of losing him. Coming off an injury but still played well last season.
Drue Tranquill, Chargers (28): Good height but skinny. Doesn't hold up well in run game.
Cole Holcomb, Commanders (27): More of a special teams type but he showed some all-around upside this year.
Denzel Perryman, Raiders (30): Played really well for the Raiders last season after getting traded but he's small and gets dinged up a lot. If you need a stopgap Mike, he's your guy.
Others to watch: Kaden Elliss, Saints (28); Anthony Walker, Browns (28); Rashaan Evans, Falcons (28); Quincy Williams, Jets (27); Alex Singleton, Broncos (29).
CAP CASUALTIES
Bobby Wagner, Rams (33): Played well but likes to get paid and wants to win.
Eric Hendricks, Vikings (31): Still a really good player that does everything well.
Zach Cunningham, Titans (28): Has always been more of an athlete than a real player, especially for O'Brien in Houston. Definite upside but not all that different than Mack Wilson and Raekwon McMillan in that regard.
TRADE POSSIBILITIES
Shaq Thompson, Panthers (29): He's not quite the same player but I've been lusting after him for some time. Maybe new exec Pat Stewart can pry him from his old team.
Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals (25): Uber athlete that just hasn't been productive in the NFL. Bet Belichick would have some ideas. How about a DeAndre Hopkins/Simmons trade for Trent Brown and DeVante Parker (would save Patriots $16 million on the cap), or some other combination?
Myles Jack, Steelers (28): Had some good moments for the Steelers but not sure if he's going to be a great player.
Devin White, Bucs (25): With David a free agent, I don't think there's a chance in hell the Bucs trade their center piece, but I would ask.
DRAFT PROSPECTS
This is a quick look. We'll dive deeper into this before the draft.
LATER FIRST/SECOND ROUND CANDIDATES
Jack Campbell, rJr, ILB, Iowa, 6-4, 246: The true stud ILB in this draft. Tall, fast, productive and strong. Everything you want.
Trenton Simpson, rJr, OLB, Clemson, 6-3, 240: Great athlete and a playmaker.
Drew Sanders, Jr, OLB, Arkansas, 6-4, 233: Showed really well at the combine.
Noah Sewell, rSo, ILB, Oregon, 6-2, 253: Strong and rangy.
Daiyan Henley, rSr, ILB, Washington State, 6-1, 230: Former wide receiver is just learning the position and plays stronger than he looks.
BEDARD'S EARLY PROJECTION
I would be up for a FA/trade and draft double-dip big-time. I would try to land Long, Okereke or Pratt and if that doesn't work, try the trade market for Thompson and Simmons. One of those guys would kick Tavai to the bench/matchup role to up the impact in 2023. Then I would look for an athlete in the draft to groom to take over for Bentley in a year. A trade down from 14 would help in this respect.