Patriots position preview: Breaking down the linebackers ahead of camp
The New England Patriots have no shortage of young talent at the linebacker position. With Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Not not returning, those young linebackers finally have a chance to shine. But it’s one thing to be promising and another thing to be impressive and consistent.
That’s the transition that this team’s linebackers must undergo in 2022. For years, the Patriots have selected linebackers with high draft picks. And for years, those players have not played. This seems to be the year New England is giving them an opportunity. And we’ll see what they’re made of.
So let’s take a look at what New England has to offer at the position.
Locks to make the team: Matthew Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Josh Uche, Cameron McGrone, Ronnie Perkins
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Judon and Bentley were among the team’s most productive starters in 2021. Judon’s massive contract and Bentley’s recently-inked deal speak to their security with the team.
Uche, McGrone and Perkins are among the contingent of young linebackers that are on the verge of stepping up — or else. Uche was a second-round pick in 2020, Perkins was a third-rounder in 2021 and McGrone is a fifth-rounder in 2021. Because of their draft statuses and their promise, they all figure to make the team, even if they’re role players in 2022.
On the bubble: Mack Wilson, Raekwon McMillan, Anfernee Jennings, Harvey Langi
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I wavered on putting Wilson in the “locks” group, if only because he’s in a totally new environment. He has no financial ties to the team, which can cut him whenever and without recourse. And the Patriots gave up Chase Winovich to get Wilson. It’s possible New England felt it was going to cut Winovich this year. That said, Wilson is running with the first-team defense and appears to be a fairly significant player in the defense on the inside.
McMillan, like Wilson, was getting quality reps on the inside alongside Bentley. He will compete with Wilson for snaps and a roster spot.
As for Langi and Jennings, they both provide special teams value. As for on defense, they haven’t quite proven themselves as anything more than spot starters. But special teams alone has been enough to get these two players on the roster. Jennings was also a third-round pick, which seems to have given his career a longer shelf life despite his disappointing play.
Unlikely to make the team: Jahlani Tavai
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Tavai falls into the same category as Langi and Jennings when it comes to contributing on special teams but not necessarily on defense. The team just seems to like Langi and Jennings a little bit more.
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