The Felger & Mazz Big Board continued on Wednesday. This time the guys threw for linebackers, both inside and outside.
While linebacker isn’t an immediate need for the Patriots, they’re not exactly in a spot where they absolutely don’t need to take one either. Adding at the position later on Day 3 could make sense with the right kind of player.
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At inside linebacker, the Patriots still have captain Ja’Whaun Bentley returning to his early down role with Jahlani Tavai as depth behind him and Raekwon McMillan coming off of a knee injury.
However, the passing down role is another story. The Patriots have been chasing an athletic sideline-to-sideline linebacker for the past few years. It seemed like they hit one in Mack Wilson, but he left in free agency. Sione Takitaki was signed and figures to fit in a similar role, but if the Patriots want to find a player to handle that role long-term, this draft has a number of guys who would fit.
On the outside it’s a strong group but the team’s top two pass rushers – Matthew Judon and Josh Uche – are both in contract years. A project player who could step into a bigger pass rushing role next year would be a logical Day 3 pick.
Did the Felger & Mazz Big Board find any such players this year? We’ll take a look at a few, but first one player they did pick who likely won’t be a Patriot but is worth discussing…
ILB Payton Wilson, NC State
Nov 11, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
On talent alone, Wilson is a first-round-caliber player and the definition of what teams covet in modern middle linebackers. A top-tier athlete with good size (6-foot-4, 233 pounds) who is a strong tackler, does a great job diagnosing plays, and can be on the field on all three downs, he’s one of the better inside linebacker prospects to come through the draft in recent history.
So, why isn’t he projected to go in the first round? Wilson has a significant injury history (two knee injuries in high school, shoulder injury in 2020 and 2021) that teams will certainly take into consideration.
Given all of their needs, it doesn’t seem like Wilson would be a fit for the Patriots. That being said, he’d be an interesting player to evaluate if Bill Belichick were still the GM. Would seeing a player with Wilson’s talent fall to 34 be the kind of ‘value’ pick he coveted, even though Wilson wasn’t as much of a traditional schematic fit?
ILB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (5) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
A six-year contributor for the Huskies who overcame injuries in 2021 and 2022 to be named an All-American in 2023, Ulofoshio has the kind of experience, intelligence, and toughness teams want from middle linebackers. He’s a strong player who was a highly-productive tackler, and that tackling ability should carry over to the NFL. This past season he showed improved coverage ability, and was actually PFF’s highest-graded coverage linebacker in the nation.
He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot, 236 pounds. While he doesn’t look like a plus athlete on tape, he tested very well at the Combine with a 4.56-second 40 and 39.5-inch vertical.
At the very least, Ulofoshio – a projected Day 3 pick – has an ideal skill set to be a key player in the new kickoff format. However, he also has some upside as a rotational three-down linebacker, and that kind of versatility could make him an attractive option for the Patriots.
LB Jaylan Ford, Texas
Oct 21, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford (41) in action during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Lindy’s used Kyle Van Noy as a comp for Ford, which makes a lot of sense. Van Noy came into the NFL as an off-ball linebacker, but wasn’t maximized until the Patriots started playing him more on the outside. Ford also comes in as an inside linebacker, but his skillset – more based on power and quickness than pure speed and range – may be best fit for an outside linebacker in the NFL. He’s another projected mid-Day 3 pick.
OLB Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
Nov 11, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Jalen Mayden (18) is tackled by Colorado State Rams defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara (8) during the second quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
Kamara is one of my favorite sleepers in this draft. Yes, he’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-1, 248 pounds and comes from a smaller school, but the talent and drive are there. Over the past three years he’s had 28 sacks and 42.5 tackles for a loss in 34 games for Colorado State. A powerful player with a relentless motor, he’s regularly in the backfield.
In the NFL Kamara may not be big enough or have the tackling skills for a three-down role, but he has a chance to be a contributor as a situational pass rusher. For the Patriots that job is currently held by Josh Uche, who is in a contract year. If the Patriots believe Uche will leave after this year, adding Kamara early on Day 3 and developing him for a third down role in 2025 would be a logical plan.
