For the last few years, it seems like leading up to every NFL Draft there’s excitement about the Patriots taking a linebacker. Yet despite a number of deep quality classes over the last decade, since taking Jamie Collins 52nd overall in 2013 they’ve used just two top-100 picks on linebackers overall (Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings in 2020), and haven’t taken an off-ball linebacker higher than the fifth round (Ja’Whaun Bentley, 143rd overall in 2018).
Between that, them re-signing all of their linebacker free agents earlier this spring, and this being an overall ‘down’ year at the position, it stands to reason that this could be another hands-off linebacker year for the Patriots in the draft. Yet, there’s always the chance they ‘zig’ just when we all expect them to ‘zag.’
LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Sep 10, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Drew Sanders (42) pursues South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 44-30. Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Many project Sanders to be the top linebacker taken in this year’s NFL Draft, early in the second round. He can play both as an edge rusher and off the ball, and would probably do more of the latter in New England.
Sanders fits the mold of a more modern linebacker winning with athleticism rather than pure size and strength, although he is bigger than most linebackers that play that style at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds. Just a one-year starter after transferring from Alabama to Arkansas, he still has room to improve both in terms of making reads, in addition to as a tackler. He has some significant upside, but given the current holes in his game it doesn’t seem likely the Patriots would invest the pick it would take to draft him.
ILB Jack Campbell, Iowa
Dec 31, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jack Campbell (31) waits for the snap during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2022 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Campbell, on the other hand, is a classic Patriots old-school middle linebacker. He plays downhill with aggression and is a size matchup when he gets going at 6-foot-5, 249 pounds. However, he doesn’t have the lateral agility of other linebackers, and won’t offer much in passing situations.
While linebackers like Campbell aren’t nearly as prevalent in the NFL as they used to be, the Patriots still employ that role in their defense. If the Patriots want to get Ja’Whaun Bentley’s replacement in the building as he enters a contract year, they won’t find a better fit in this draft than Campbell. The question is, would they be willing to use the likely top-50 pick needed to make that happen.
ILB Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati
Dec 17, 2022; Boston, MA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reacts after sacking Louisville Cardinals quarterback Brock Domann (19) during the first half at Fenway Park. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
As the Lindy’s guide pointed out, there are a handful of concerns about Pace’s game. He’s undersized even as a modern off-ball linebacker at 5-foot-10, 231 pounds. On tape he doesn’t appear to have top-end athleticism, and didn’t test at the Combine.
So where is all the hype that has him projected as a mid-Day 3 pick? Off-the-charts production. He’s led the nation in tackles in each of the last two seasons. In 2021 while at Miami (OH) he had 125 tackles with 13 for a loss and four sacks with three pass breakups in 13 games. Last fall he transferred to Cincinnati and improved those numbers against a higher level of competition, with 136 tackles, 20.5 for a loss, nine sacks, and four pass breakups as well as two forced fumbles in 13 games. Pace’s high-level football instincts help him play faster than he looks, allowing him to be in the right place at the right time to make play after play.
Would the Patriots value those instincts over the concerns about his size and athleticism? They have targeted production-strong players in the past at other positions, so it wouldn’t be totally out of character.
OLB/S Dee Winters, TCU
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Dee Winters (13) against the Georgia Bulldogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Now Winters, who also received a less than rave review, I think got a bad rap from Felger’s Lindy’s guide. As a pure off-ball linebacker, sure he doesn’t have the skillset for the NFL. But his value is in his versatility. TCU used him as a edge rusher both standing up and with his hand in the ground, as well as a linebacker, box safety, and slot cornerback at 5-foot-11, 227 pounds.
Winters tested well at the Combine, running a 4.49-second 40. That, combined with his instincts, high motor, and good tackling skills, show the potential of a real utility defender. At times, his game looks somewhat similar to Kyle Dugger’s.
With his skillet, Winters projects as the kind of player the Patriots defense has been missing in recent year – an athletic box player who is more stout against the run than a safety and can rush or spy a QB. That being said, they’ve had a number of chances to draft such players – some with better projections than Winters – and haven’t. Is this the year that changes? Winters is projected to go on Day 3.
OLB/DE Tyrus Wheat, Mississippi State
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – NOVEMBER 12: Dillon Bell #86 of the Georgia Bulldogs is tackled by Tyrus Wheat #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of the game of the game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Wheat would probably be more of a defensive end than outside linebacker in the Patriots’ system at 6-foot-2, 263 pounds. Coming from a program at Mississippi State that has produced a lot of front-seven talent in recent years, he seemed to make an impression on the Patriots’ coaching staff when playing for them at the Shrine Bowl.
Entering the NFL Wheat’s game is still very raw, particularly as a pass rusher. A projected late Day 3 pick or priority UDFA, Wheat would likely come in as a situational run player while contributing on special teams. The Patriots’ Shrine Bowl evaluation will likely play a big role in whether or not he ends up in New England.
