Despite paying Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss last offseason, inside linebacker could still be a need in 2026. But Spillane is 31, and the team can walk away after next season, eating $3 million in dead cap and saving $10 million in cash. Meanwhile, Elliss is in year two of his two-year extension and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The Pats cut Jahlani Tavai, signed K.J. Britt (for $1.4 million) as a potential replacement, and also have Chad Muma, Otis Reese, and the very hyper-specific Marte Mapu as reserves. Feels kind of thin, no? Unless Mike Vrabel and company believe there's untapped potential in former third-rounder Muma, who turns 27 in August but is already on his third team (Jacksonville, Indianapolis, now NE). He is intriguing. Muma’s testing profile is very similar to Elliss's (Muma first).
- 40: 4.63 vs Elliss's 4.58
- 10-yard split: 1.6 vs 1.63
- Vertical: 40” vs 35.5”
- Broad Jump: 10’9” vs 10’
- Three-Cone: 7.06 vs 6.94
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.28 vs 4.29
- 225 Bench: 27 reps vs 22 reps
So, maybe there’s a chance? It took Elliis five years to become a semi-regular, and that happened for the 4-13 Patriots. That wouldn’t stop this version of the team from needing reinforcements/potential future starters, but could change how high they draft one.
TIER ONE: Sonny Styles, OSU (6’5”, 244 lbs)
Styles stands all by his lonesome in this category, and while I expect the Jets to take his teammate Arvell Reese (more edge than off-ball LB) at #2 overall, I like Styles more. He was the Buckeyes' best front-seven player this year and balled out in their biggest games. Per Sumer Sports, Styles didn’t miss a tackle this year (and you wonder why I’m in love?). He can also cover, rush the passer and, if you asked him to, walk, chew gum, and rub his belly at the same time. I know, right? Styles testing at the combine - he and Reese went back-and-forth - was eye-popping. He’s just 21, and his real name isn’t Sonny; rather, it’s Alexander, but as a kid, he had a hair-trigger temper, and the family nicknamed him ‘Sonny’ after James Caan’s character in ‘The Godfather,’ Sonny Corleone. Could he be more perfect?
TIER TWO:
