Welcome to Potential Patriots!
Each day main as much as the NFL Draft on April 28, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are doubtless concentrating on place by place. The Pats have eight picks this yr, beginning at twenty first total, the primary domino to fall in one other essential draft. As for his or her different alternatives, the Patriots may pad their depth nearly wherever, having plugged some roster holes in free company and through commerce.
Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ finest prospect matches at inside linebacker:
Day 1
Devin Lloyd, Utah
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 235
Projected spherical: 1st
Scouting report: Lloyd’s been a well-liked Patriots choose in mock drafts as a result of he has the scale and flexibility that Bill Belichick covets in his linebackers. He’s massive, aggressive and quick, and most of all, he’s a playmaker who can slot in any scheme.
He’s put up manufacturing in the entire vital classes, together with 43 tackles for loss during the last three seasons. It’s simple to see him as a match for the Patriots.
He performed security in highschool earlier than transitioning to linebacker at Utah. He’s a two-time group captain, loves to observe movie, and noticed time on particular groups. That certain appears like an ideal Belichick prospect. He wants so as to add some bulk to enhance power, however that shouldn’t be a difficulty.
Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 229
Projected spherical: 1st-2nd
Scouting report: Sideline to sideline, it’s laborious to seek out anybody higher than the 2021 Butkus Award winner. He’s a playmaking machine.
If Patriots personnel head Matt Groh is to be believed, the group may need to go in opposition to prototype and herald smaller, quicker linebackers, as a result of that’s what the school sport is producing. Still, it’s not a lock for the Pats to maneuver in that route and go together with somebody within the Dean mould.
He’s actually the poster boy for the new-age linebacker who can actually transfer, make performs and impression a sport each in opposition to the run and the go. The Pats will love his soccer IQ and intangibles, however his measurement and match of their scheme stay a query.
Potential Patriots draft picks: Is Devin McCourty’s substitute on this security class?
Quay Walker, Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 245
Projected spherical: 1st-2nd
Scouting report: Walker has the precise measurement the Patriots usually search for in a linebacker. He’s nice at shedding blocks. But he additionally has the kind of athleticism and velocity they want and have put an emphasis on going ahead for the linebacker group.
Walker is a freakish athlete. He ran a 4.52 within the 40-yard sprint, so he can fly. He’s a taller model of Dean, though he does not have the identical sort of instincts or really feel for the sport simply but. But these are creating.
He performed exterior linebacker and defensive finish in highschool, earlier than transferring inside at Georgia. The arrow is pointing up by way of his potential to be an impression participant on the subsequent stage.
Day 2
Christian Harris, Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 226
Projected spherical: 2nd
Scouting report: Being a three-year starter for Nick Saban and the participant who aligned Alabama’s pre-style protection pre-snap bodes properly for Harris’ future. After all, it labored properly for Dont’a Hightower.
Harris has the skillset to drop in protection, get downhill to cease the run, or make performs through the blitz. That total capacity and flexibility is one thing the Patriots gravitate in the direction of. He has the kind of elite athleticism that ought to permit him to contribute straight away.
In highschool, he was a defensive again, earlier than transitioning to inside linebacker and an every-down participant for Saban.
Chad Muma, Wyoming
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 239
Projected spherical: 2nd
Scouting report: Muma, a two-year starter at center linebacker, has measurement and loads of notable soccer traits. The Pats can be drawn to his capacity to course of performs rapidly. He’s a tackling machine as evidenced by the 142 he collected in 2021, which ranked second within the FBS.
He also can play in protection, which supplies him the power to be a three-down participant on the subsequent stage. He’s a two-time group captain who has a superb soccer IQ. He’s extremely aggressive and was spectacular as a particular groups participant his first two seasons.
Leo Chenel, Wisconsin
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 250
Projected spherical: 2nd-Third
Scouting report: He’s one other massive man who can transfer. He made his dwelling within the backfield, main the Big Ten in tackles for loss in 2021 with 18.
His athleticism and power have been well-chronicled. He benched 420 kilos. He leapt a whopping 40.5 inches within the vertical and 10-8 within the broad bounce to associate with a 4.53-second time within the 40.
He was a two-year starter at inside linebacker. While he wants to enhance in protection and as a blitzer, his capacity to defend the run ought to draw the Pats.
Troy Andersen, Montana State
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 235
Projected spherical: 2nd-Third
Scouting report: What a narrative. Andersen’s a former school quarterback, a highschool valedictorian, and a freakish athlete who can play any variety of positions.
He was a two-year starter at center linebacker, however did a lot extra. He led the group in passing, dashing and whole tackles in three completely different seasons.
Per the Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Anderson had 40 profession begins, 25 at linebacker, 11 at quarterback and 4 at operating again. With that, he has the kind of versatility that screams being a Patriot. He may conceivably contribute on offense, protection and particular groups.
Day 3
Malcolm Rodriquez, Oklahoma State
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 232
Projected spherical: 4th-Fifth
Scouting report: He’s a two-time captain and four-year starter. He could also be undersized however he was extremely productive as a weak aspect linebacker.
He additionally performed quarterback in highschool, in addition to security.
He led the group in tackles three consecutive seasons, changing into simply the fourth participant in class historical past to achieve 400 profession tackles. Rodriguez, who has a wrestling background, is an instinctive participant who simply makes performs, each behind the road of scrimmage and in area.
Source: www.bostonherald.com