Over the next couple weeks, WEEI.com will take a position-by-position look at the Patriots rebuilt roster heading into training camp 2021. What’s the depth chart look like? What’s the biggest question at each position? How might the competition at each spot unfold this summer under Bill Belichick’s watchful eye? Today we take a gander at a retooled linebacker room.
Linebacker
Roster: Dont’a Hightower, Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Ja’Whuan Bentley, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins, Cameron McGrone, Terez Hall, Brandon King, Raekwon McMillan, Harvey Langi
Key Additions: Judon, (FA, Ravens), Hightower (2020 COVID opt-out), Van Noy (FA, Dolphins), Perkins (3rd RD, Oklahoma)
Key Losses: Brandon Copeland (FA, Falcons)
Predicted Starters: Hightower, Judon, Van Noy
Notes: Hightower sat out the 2020 season due to COVID. … Van Noy returns to his spot on the New England front seven after one year in Miami on a lucrative free agent deal. … Bentley was thrust into a key role in his third season a year ago, starting all 13 games he played in while serving as a team captain after having a limited role prior. … Bentley led all linebackers and finished second on the team in 2020 with 91 total tackles, including 51 solo stops. … Judon joins the front as a combo edge/off-the-ball option on a 4-year, $54 million contract after consecutive Pro Bowl seasons in Baltimore. … Judon tallied 34.5 sacks and 103 QB hits over his five seasons with the Ravens. … Van Noy had 69 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and 10 QB hits last season for the Dolphins. … Uche started one of the nine games he played as a second-round rookie last fall, showing athletic potential as a pass rusher. … Jennings started four of the 14 games he played as a third-round rookie in 2020.
Biggest Question: After a year off/away, can Hightower and Van Noy settle back into the impact playmaking roles they had in New England’s defense that helped lead to so much success in 2019?
Snapshot Analysis: New England’s linebacker unit was utterly undermanned a year ago. Hightower was at home as a COVID opt-out. Van Noy took his talents to Miami on the free agent market. There just weren’t enough talented, experienced options on the second level last fall, forcing safeties like Adrian Phillips to try to fill the void, while Bentley was thrust into a role he just wasn’t equipped to handle. But all that should change in 2021 with Hightower and Van Noy back in mix, while Judon brings his versatile athletic talents to the weekly game plan equation. Bill Belichick’s defenses have always been at their best with deep, versatile linebacker groups. That should be the case again, assuming Hightower didn’t get old overnight and Van Noy didn’t forget how to fit into the Foxborough front. Judon has made his bones as an edge guy, but should be put to good use in various roles at times by Belichick. There is also intriguing depth within the group. Bentley can now get in where he fits in, which is probably in more situational running downs. Uche showed impressive potential as a rookie and looked ready for a Year 2 Jump running all over the field during spring OTAs and minicamp. He and Jennings won’t need to be leaned on too much as sophomores, but rather can grow and contribute working with and behind the proven veterans. Even the rookie Perkins and the returning former practice squader Hall (who missed the spring to injury) offer potential upside. Overall a linebacker unit that was deficient in terms of talent and weekly contributions may now be a strength on a defense that could very well bounce back as one of the premier units in the game. Belichick has to be licking his chops thinking about the ways he can deploy his versatile athletes at the linebacker position based on weekly game plans heading into 2021. That’s good for New England and bad for its opponents.
Position Rating: Very good