By Eric
One of the Patriots perceived biggest needs going into the 2022 off-season was linebacker (LB). However, outside of trading edge defender Chase Winovich to the Browns in exchange for Mack Wilson, the Patriots stayed relatively quite addressing their LB corps. It appeared that they had big hopes for Raekwon McMillan and Cameron McGrone (2021 5th round pick) coming back from injury, the addition of Mack Wilson, having Ja’Whaun Bentley in the middle, along with Jahlani Tavai and Harvey Langi competing for reps.
While the approach may have made sense it theory, some of these players did not pan out. While Ja’Whaun Bentley had a career year and Jahlani Tavai made big strides towards being a contributor on first and second down, the remaining players under-performed. McGrone who many had high hopes for following his injury red-shirt rookie year, looked lost during camp and was a final roster cut. While he signed to the practice squad, he eventually was signed to the Colts 53 man roster more than halfway through the year. McMillan played 70% of the teams defensive snaps in week 1, only to eclipse 25% of defensive snaps 5 of the next 16 games. Similarly, Mack Wilson saw a lot of playing time early in the season (35% of D snaps week 1, 65% of D snaps week 2, 68% of D snaps week 3), he only eclipsed 25% of D snaps in 4 of the last 14 games, including not seeing a single defensive snap in the last 5 games of the season.
With the Patriots only having 2 non-edge LB on their roster who saw significant playing time in the second half of last season, it seems likely the Patriots will address this position this off-season in some fashion, whether it is via Free Agency, Trade or the Draft. With Free Agency set to start next week, here is a look at 5 available linebackers who may make sense for the Patriots to target.
1. Tremaine Edmunds (Buffalo Bills)
Edmunds may be a reach as he is one of the best linebackers available and may command a contract higher than what the Patriots would be likely to shell out. However, Belichick has been known to pay top dollar for players he feels will fit his scheme and defense (Rosevelt Colvin, Adalius Thomas (this one unfortunately did not pan out well), Darelle Revis, Stephon Gilmore, Matthew Judon). Edmunds was a 1st round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He is a fast linebacker who ran a 4.54 40-yard dash in his NFL Scouting Combine. He has amassed 100 tackles in all 5 of his NFL seasons to start his career and was named to the Pro Bowl twice (in 2019 and 2020). He is also likely only heading into the Prime of his career as he will only be turning 25 years old in May. His speed, physicality, and skill would help bolster the front 7 of the Patriots defense and if the Patriots are willing to spend top dollar for a linebacker this offseason, Edmunds should be at the top of their target list.
2. Bobby Okereke (Indianapolis Colts).
Okereke is a very intriguing option at linebacker. He was a 2019 3rd round pick for the Indianapolis Colts out of Stanford. He is another fast and versatile linebacker who ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at the Combine. He was apart of a very talented front 7 for the Colts. He was very productive the last 2 years starting 33 games and amassing 283 tackles (132 in 2021, 151 in 2022) and really stepped up for the Colts defense once Shaq Leonard got hurt. Additionally, he had an extremely productive and impactful game last season versus the Patriots where he was all over the field making plays including forcing and recovering a fumble. Okereke will be turning 27 this summer. As we have seen over the years, Bill likes to sign players who have had success versus him and I would not be shocked if Okereke is a Patriot shortly into free agency.
3. Leighton Vander Esch (Dallas Cowboys)
For the second straight season I have Leighton Vander Esch on my list of potential targets at linebacker. Vander Esch, who was a 1st round pick of the Cowboys in 2018 out of Boise State, jumped on the scene as a rookie and was named 2nd Team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler, and All-Rookie team after amassing 140 tackles, 102 of them solo. However, injuries plagued him the following 2 years playing in only 9 and 10 games respectively. After resigning with the Cowboys last offseason on a 1-year deal, Vander Esch started playing closer to his rookie form, and had 90 tackles in 14 games. Leighton who just turned 27 will be a free agent again this offseason. Although you may not know which form of him you may get, he might be a good value pick-up if you can get him at the right price.
4. Bobby Wagner (Los Angeles Rams)
Bobby Wagner is another player who is once again a free agent this offseason and again should be a potential target for the Patriots if the price is right. Wagner had a standout career with the Seattle Seahawks where he was a Pro Bowler for 8 consecutive seasons (2014-2021) and was a 6 time 1st team All Pro (2014, 2016-2020) and 3 time 2nd team All-Pro including this past season (2015, 2021, 2022). After signing a 5 year $65 million contract with the Rams last offseason, he was released this offseason, most likely as a salary cap casualty. Although he was 32 years old this past season, it looked like he still had a lot left in the tank, totaling 140 tackles and having a career high 6 sacks. Additionally, while he has played 11 seasons in the NFL at linebacker, he has been extremely durable missing only 10 games total over the course of his career and only 2 in the last 7 years. It will likely depend on what type of contract he is envisioning, but if the Patriots could get him, signing him would help bolster their defense.
5. Rashaan Evans (Atlanta Flacons)
Rashaan Evans may end up being the most likely of the group due solely to the fact that he will likely command the lowest contract of the bunch. Evans was highly regarding coming out of college, where he was a 1st Team All-American at the University of Alabama. He was drafted in the 1st round by the Tennessee Titans in the 2018 draft. Although he was productive for the titans, he never lived up to the 1st round expectations and the Titans did not exercise his 5th year option and became a free agent last offseason. After signing a 1 year contract with the Falcons, Evans played all 17 games and tallied 159 tackles (86 solo). Evans is still relatively young and will be 27 years of age at the start of the upcoming season. His potential talent, mixed with playing under Nick Saban in college as well as having a productive year this year may make Evans an intriguing option and one that Bill may consider to add to this linebacker corps.
