New England Patriots Acquire Barkevious Mingo From Cleveland Browns

The New England Patriots made a trade for Barkevious Mingo on Thursday. Will a change of scenery allow him to improve his play?

The New England Patriots have been one of the more active teams in the NFL over the last couple of days. Just days after trading center Bryan Stork to the Washington Redskins, the team elected to swing a deal for Barkevious Mingo, as per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Mingo was a former sixth overall pick by the Cleveland Browns who never lived up to his billing. He will look to resurrect his career in New England, but his fit in their scheme is questionable.

Mingo was widely considered to be a prolific pass rusher when he came out of LSU. He was a highly athletic college player, but there were concerns about him playing at any position aside from a 3-4 rush linebacker. Despite playing at that position in the pros, he has not developed into the stellar threat that some believed he could become.

In three seasons, Mingo recorded only seven total sacks, and five of those came in his rookie year. He also has not been great in run support due to his lack of size and strength. He really has been a liability when he was on the field. The Patriots will look to fix that, but their efforts may be in vain.

The Patriots run a 4-3 hybrid defense that Mingo will not have a real role in. He is too small to be a 4-3 end, even in rush scenarios. Though he has the 6-4 frame, he is only 241 pounds. He will be pushed around by the much larger linemen out on the field. In the few 3-4 looks that the Patriots use, Mingo can play on the edge, but again, he failed in that role in Cleveland.

Perhaps the most intriguing option for Mingo would be a move to one of the 4-3 outside linebacker positions. The Patriots already have a couple of highly athletic young linebackers in Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower, so maybe Mingo could learn from them as a backup. If he can translate his athleticism into playmaking ability, then he could find a role as a backup and special teamer with the unit. Of course, that would require him improving his poor tackling ability and getting stronger.

Adding Mingo is a move that has upside for the Patriots, but it is more likely that he will continue to be a bust. Still, the Patriots are not giving up much to get Mingo on the one-year deal that he is on, so it is a solid move. Perhaps he will become the next Akeem Ayers for the team.

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