The linebacker position has become an unknown for the New England Patriots defense.
Just a year ago, the New England Patriots had one of the most experienced and consistent linebacker corps in the NFL. This helped lead to a defense that often dominated opponents and kept many quarterbacks guessing. Things have changed dramatically since the end of last season and now the Patriots are left picking up the pieces at one of the most important groupings for their defense.
From a consistency and experience standpoint, there is no way for the Patriots to make up for their losses in just one offseason. The team lost starters Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins and top backup Elandon Roberts to free agency. The final devastating blow came when starter Dont’a Hightower decided to opt-out for the season.
With those four linebackers, the Patriots lost 232 career games started for these players just in their years with the Patriots. All of these players were experienced and knew the nuances of the Patriots system and style of play.
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Where do the Patriots go from here? Barring any last-minute signing, it appears the Patriots will at least do their best to fill these holes internally. The Patriots do have an inexperienced group that may be able to give some sort of similar production to the departed group. A dropoff and effectiveness and what the team can do with playcalling should be expected.
What’s next for the New England Patriots at linebacker?
On the edges, the Patriots are inexperienced but have potential. Chase Winovich enters his second year after having five and a half sacks in limited pass-rushing only opportunities during his rookie season. The team and Winovich are both hoping for a big step forward in his second year in hopes he can help replace some of the pass-rushing havoc caused by the trio of Collins, Van Noy and Hightower.
Winovich may turn out to be the next Rob Ninkovich or Mike Vrabel or even similar to the way Hightower has been used on the outside during his career. He may never be a complete asset in pass coverage, but if he can develop enough understanding and instincts to not be a complete liability, he can turn into the next solid Patriots outside edge linebacker.
Derek Rivers showed potential during his first two training cam , but injuries have derailed his career. He was drafted as a defensive end, but if he can make the team’s opening roster, they may use him to help at outside linebacker.
Rivers was drafted in the third round due to his pass-rushing prowess at Youngstown State. He was the school’s all-time sacks leader with 41 and turned heads at the 2017 Senior Bowl. Unfortunately for Rivers, he has only played in six career games which have mostly been due to injuries. Rivers had knee injuries put him on IR during his rookie season in 2017 and also last season.
His six career game appearances came in the sandwich year of 2018 when he barely saw the field. He has been considered an afterthought by most. If he can unlock the physical ability and potential he displayed before the injuries, he may be able to carve out a role with the team especially as someone who has been able to learn the system for more than one season.
Rookies Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche now have a chance to either sink or swim in the defense. Jennings projects as a prototypical Patriots outside linebacker who can hold his own keeping the edge on run plays and can make an occasional play as a blitzing linebacker in the passing game.
Out of all of the players who departed, Jennings projects to eventually fill the void left by Van Noy. He has shown some pass-rush ability in his college career but it was not a big part of his game last season at Alabama.
Uche projects to be the physical freak of the group. He is long and athletic and is somewhat reminiscent of Collins when he was drafted. He does not have a lot of experience playing off of the line but, if he can develop, he can become a force for the Patriots.
He already showed great pass-rushing ability in limited snaps in college and the Patriots can utilize this ability if nothing else during his rookie season. With the current depth chart, he should have chances to make an impact on passing downs.
What are the Patriots option to replace Hightower at middle linebacker?
In the middle, Ja’Whaun Bentley is going to be asked to step in and take on the role Hightower was projected to play this season. This includes probably having the green dot on the helmet and making the defensive play calls. At only 24 years old, Bentley is the seasoned veteran of the linebacker group. This despite only playing in 19 career games with only four career starts, he has the most regular-season experience and starts of any other player.
The team was high on Bentley during his rookie training camp and he had carved out a role for himself early in the regular season. Unfortunately, Bentley wound up on IR with a torn biceps after only three games (two starts). Last season he had to take a back seat to the veterans in place in front of him. This season the team has to hope he can recapture some of the ability they saw in him as a rookie and can become a leader for the linebackers.
Behind Bentley, the Patriots have nothing to show but unproven and inexperienced rookies. Linebacker Cassh Maluia is a sixth-round pick who seemingly would have only made the roster via special teams. He is on the smaller side for a Patriots middle linebacker he is a bit undersized at 6-0, 248 pounds. He did not show great ability in pass coverage and has a similar style of play to Elandon Roberts.
De’Jon “Scoota” Harris is an undrafted free agent and has a similar style of play to Maluia. He is also undersized and serves better as a downhill early-down linebacker rather than a coverage linebacker.
The Patriots will enter 2020 with nothing but questions at the linebacker position. This will not change until we see what some of these players can do during real game play or unless the team adds proven veterans. Right now, free agency does not seem to be the path the team prefers. Hopefully, the young players can adapt quickly to help the defense be the forceful unit it was last season.