Hightower and Van Noy are old. The Patriots need people that are big enough to stop the run but fast enough to cover if need be. They also like versatility. Here's 26 early linebacker prospects for the Patriots. There maybe names excluded if I thought they were too light. And I get this isn't the 80s but teams need linebackers that can tackle tight ends.
Devin Lloyd Utah 6'3" 235 LBS
36 games - 256 tackles - 43 TFL - 15.5 sacks
8 PDs - 5 INTs - 3 TDs - 2 FF - 1 FR
PFN "Lloyd has shown to employ varying stride lengths when reading and reacting to plays. Additionally, he’s versatile. He can line up at MIKE, OLB, the edge, or even as a big slot on occasion. He has the ball skills to make plays in coverage."
Leo Chenal, Wisconsin 6'2" 255 LBS
25 games - 178 tackles - 25.5 TFL - 11 sacks
1 PD - 1 INT - 3 FF
Sports Illustrated "A massive linebacker who is relatively light on his feet, Leo Chenal can be a starter in the NFL if he refines his game in coverage."
Alex Wright, UAB 6'7" 270 LBS
31 games - 91 tackles - 19 TFL - 11.5 sacks
5 PDs - 3 FF - 2 FR
BCS "Alex Wright is an EDGE defender you can win with due to incredible athletic traits, versatility, and upside with hand usage. He displays versatile traits that will allow him to play as a stand up edge," and "His large frame, motor, and physicality may allow defensive coaches to place him inside in sub packages."
Quay Walker, Georgia 6'4" 240 LBS
37 games - 137 tackles - 11 TFL - 5 sacks
3 PDs - 1 FR
PFN "He’s a mismatch against tight ends with his size and athleticism, but he can also clog lanes and chase down ball carriers in the box. Walker can be a versatile, tone-setting playmaker for defensive coordinators."
Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati 6'3" 242 LBS
56 games - 230 tackles - 27.5 TFL - 13.5 sacks
1 PD - 1 INT - 2 FF - 2 FR,
Bleacher Report "Beavers projects best as a middle linebacker or strong-side linebacker who can be moved down to the line of scrimmage as a changeup/situational answer. His length, physicality and instant mental processing make him a dangerous run defender with just enough coverage chops to help keep a pass defense unit glued together."
Chad Muma, Wyoming 6'3" 242 LBS
33 games - 266 tackles - 19 TFL - 5.5 sacks
2 PDs - 3 INTs - 2 TDs - 1 FF - 2 FR
Bleacher Report "Muma could play all three linebacker spots with the right coaching, though "Mike" may offer the most natural transition. Muma's run-game skills and elite tackling give him a relatively high floor, while his coverage tools and athleticism open the door for real-deal potential."
Ellis Brooks, Penn State 6'1" 241 LBS
46 games - 230 tackles - 15 TFL - 5.5 sacks
2 PDs - 1 INT - 2 FF - 1 FR
Sports Illustrated "Brooks is a pre-snap communicator and team leader who can impact the game in run and pass defense. The Penn State defender is capable in man and zone coverage and even has the movement skills to work downfield in Tampa Two."
Aaron Hansford Texas A&M 6'3" 240 LBS
36 games - 157 tackles - 18.5 TFL - 7 sacks
6 PDs - 1 FR - 3 Catches
NFL Draft Buzz "Downhill defender and physical tackler. Uses his eyes to decipher and break down the play, showing good awareness and discipline to sniff out fakes. Plays fast, flows with the action, showing smooth lateral agility and short-area burst. Has good instincts and awareness to quickly find the ball."
Mike Rose, Iowa State 6'4" 250 LBS
49 games - 324 tackles - 41 TFL - 8.5 sacks
8 PDs - 6 INTs - 1 FF - 1 FR
Bleacher Report "Rose's best fit will be at "Sam..." "(he) is a comfortable zone defender at all depths. He does well to track what throwing windows are behind him. He also proved comfortable being the deep "pole runner" in Cover 2 and showed the ability to change directions in open grass. In run defense, Rose was often allowed to fit from the outside, which gave him the chance to beat blocks with finesse rather than power. He has functional speed in and outside the box."
Damone Clark, LSU 6'3" 243 LBS
36 games - 249 tackles - 23 TFL - 10 sacks
4 PDs - 1 INT - 2 FF - 1 FR
PFN "Once Clark improves there, he has the style and communication ability to develop into a potential MIKE or 3-4 ILB at the NFL level. And if he doesn’t see the requisite development there, he still translates well as a WILL or SAM, where his processing skills can be buoyed to an extent by a more reactive, versatile role."
Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin 6'2" 236 LBS
38 games - 228 tackles - 29 TFL - 11.5 sacks
4 PDs - 4 INT - 3 FF - 2 FR
Crabbs TDN "Ideal role: Early-down MIKE linebacker." "He’s cerebral and physically competent in all phases of the position."
James Skalski, Clemson 6' 240 LBS
59 games - 258 tackles - 18 TFL - 8.5 sacks
9 PDs - 1 FF - 2 FR
Sports Illustrated "Experienced linebacker who makes calls for the Tigers defense. Skalski is a high effort defender who does not give up and plays. He shows good eyes to find the ball and is a quick processor, triggering quickly."
Baylon Spector, Clemson, 6'2" 235 LBS
40 games - 191 tackles - 21.5 TFL - 9 Sacks
2 PDs - 1 INT - 1 FF - 3 FR
Sports Illustrated "Deployed as a middle linebacker and SAM, attached to the line of scrimmage before dropping into the flat, Spector finds most of his success when performing pre-determined tasks such as shooting a specific gap."
Micah McFadden, Indiana, 6'2" 235 LBS
42 games - 216 tackles- 36 TFL - 14 sacks
4 PDs - 4 INT - 2 FF - 1 FR
Josh Dooley "Indiana runs a 4-2-5 base defense, so you will see McFadden (pre-snap) in the middle of the field for the vast majority of the game. But his starting point is rarely where he ends up. He is an aggressive, attacking linebacker..." "with great instincts and a high football IQ."
Kana'i Mauga, USC 6'2" 245 LBS
38 games - 205 tackles - 16.5 TFL - 5 Sacks
6 PDs - 3 INT - 2 FF
PFN "Mauga has experience rushing the passer from different locations, and he can also fill in at different spots on the second level. Particularly in 2019, Mauga rotated between MIKE and OLB quite a bit."
Jesse Luketa, Penn State 6'3" 251 LBS
36 games - 151 tackles - 11.5 TFL - .5 sacks
6 PDs - 1 INT - 1 TD - 1 FR
PFN "Luketa has some impressive elements to his NFL Draft scouting report. An impressive run stopper with disruptive ability in the passing game."
Olakunie Fatukasi, Rutgers 6'2" 240LBS
45 games - 282 tackles - 25.5 TFL - 6 sacks
7 PDs - 4 FF - 3 FR
Randy Mueller “Smart competitive kid who plays with toughness and good football instincts. He makes the calls, the adjustments and is the communicator on defense..." Mueller continued "(Fatukasi) Needs to play ‘MIKE' in a 3-4 scheme..."
Christopher Allen, Alabama 6'4" 252 LBS
34 games - 61 tackles - 18.5 TFL - 7.5 sacks
3 FF - 1 FR
NFL Draft Buzz "Thickly built with classic linebacker size, adequate strength and the smarts to cover up his athletic shortcomings in the right scheme. Has the combination of size and athleticism worthy of development."
Long shots and dark horses:
Carson Wells, Colorado 6'4" 250 LBS
38 games - 154 tackles - 39 TFL - 17.5 sacks
8 PDs - 3 INTs - 1 TD - 1 FF
NFL Draft Buzz "Downhill defender and physical tackler. Uses his eyes to decipher and break down the play, showing good awareness and discipline to sniff out fakes. Tougher between the tackles than many expect. Fluid and quick drop into zone, covers enough ground to be Tampa-2 "MIKE" and knows where the markers are."
Diego Fagot, Navy 6'3" 240 LBS
42 games - 282 tackles- 35.5 TFL - 9.5 sacks
5 PDs - 2 INTs - 1 TD - 6 FF - 2 FR
Anthony Del Trecco "As the middle linebacker, he had to be one of the smartest players, if not the smartest, on the field..." "He will instantly bring discipline to whatever team he joins. His intensity and passion are second to none." "The Patriots also have strong ties to the Naval Academy."
Jeremiah Moon, Florida 6'2" 245 LBS
46 games - 151 tackles - 14 TFL - 8 sacks
4 PDs - 1 FF - 2 FR
NFL Draft Buzz "Tougher between the tackles than many expect. Fluid and quick drop into zone, covers enough ground to be Tampa-2 "MIKE" and knows where the markers are."
Marino TDN "would be well-served by embracing a lead role on kick and punt coverage to provide his NFL team an X-factor on special teams while being allowed to develop."
Kuony Deng, California 6'6" 240 LBS
40 games - 227 tackles - 10 TFL - 4.5 sacks
8 PDs - 1 INT - 2 FF - 1 FR
PFN "Deng has a wild physical profile and frame. There are simply not many guys at linebacker right now that possess the range, explosiveness, length, fluidity, and strength that Deng does. That alone will make him a highly coveted prospect among NFL teams. You simply do find guys like Deng off the street to play the linebacker position."
Harris TDN "This player is raw..." "However, there is considerable upside if this player gets stronger, adds mass to his frame and develop instincts with more reps at the position."
Christian Albright, Ball State 6'2" 240 LBS
57 games - 257 tackles - 34 TFL - 15 Sacks
11 PDs - 2 INT - 9 FF - 2 FR
PFN "He’s athletic, covers a lot of area, and can make plays in space against the run or covering the pass."
NFL Draft Buzz "Big, aggressive hitter who can lay the wood. Has good awareness to quickly locate the ball, keeping his eyes up and on point."
Tre Williams, Arkansas 6'5" 255 LBS
45 games - 111 tackles - 21.5 TFL - 14.5 sacks
2 FF
NFL Draft Buzz "Brings down quarterbacks much bigger than he is. Very good motor and regularly chases down plays from behind. He has good reaction skills and awareness. Forceful tackler vs. the run."
Charles Goldman "Williams is one of the best pass rushers in this draft class. The Colombia, Missouri native boasts a top-5 pressure percent in the country."
Palaie Gaoteote IV, Ohio State 6'2" 250 LBS
24 games - 114 tackles - 8.5 TFL - 2.5 sacks
1 FR
Brian Lamb "Despite injuries that have limited his time on the field, Gaoteote IV has still shown flashes of what makes him great." "Gaoteote IV has a skillset that puts him near the fourth round."
Chance Campbell, Ole Miss 6'2" 240 LBS
33 games - 216 tackles - 22.5 TFL - 7.5 sacks
5 PDs - 1 INT - 3 FF - 4 FR
Mel Kiper "(Campbell) really helped the Ole Miss defense," Campbell had "been all over the field." A "Solid Day 3 pick."
I have no doubt that if there's a decent linebacker available, Belichick will grab him. I believe that I gave prospects for all three days. The Patriots have to do something, their linebackers were old and slow in 2021. I also think having safety or outside versatility will go a little ways in making up for any lack of ability in the middle linebacker role.
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