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Welcome in to a new series here on WEEI.com we're calling Patriots Depth Projection.
Over the next several weeks leading up to training camp, I'll be taking an in-depth look at each of New England’s ten position rooms. What I’ll be doing is simple:
- Previewing the room
- Naming trade candidates
- Predicting highs and lows
- Projecting who makes the team
- Grading each room heading into 2023
The Patriots “star” player on their roster is linebacker Matthew Judon, so let’s start with his room:
The Rundown:
New England’s linebacker room returns two 11+ sack players in Judon and Josh Uche, two starters in Ja’Whaun Bentley and (sort of) Jahlani Tavai, and two depth pieces in Mack Wilson and Anfernee Jennings among others.
They’ll also bring two rookies into the mix. They drafted EDGE rusher Keion White with the 42nd overall pick in April's draft and hybrid linebacker/safety Marte Mapu with the 76th. Mapu was a monster during OTAs and showed why he was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Ronnie Perkins, Terez Hall, Calvin Munson, and Okakunle Fatukasi will all be fighting tooth-and-nail for roster spots and, unless they put together an above-and-beyond training camp, could be on the outside looking in come cut-down day.
Who we’re sleeping on:
Anfernee Jennings.
After originally thinking Jennings could be a long shot to make the roster in 2023, the former Alabama linebacker impressed me this Spring. He finally looks like he belings after an up-and-down first three years in Foxborough.
Time after time last season I was taught to take Bill Belichick at his word. He kept telling us that Jahlani Tavai was going to be a big part of the team and I didn't believe him, calling him an obvious cut last summer. Lo and behold, he made the 53-man roster.
This time, I'm trusting him. Anfernee Jennings was a mainstay with the Patriots' defensive rotation during the offseason program. He'll make the team and play an important role.
Surprise cut:
Mack Wilson.
The 25-year-old is heading into his second season with New England and was the one player who had the “speed” that they were looking for in the room a year ago.
Instead of completely gravitating towards this model of defense, however, they stuck with Bentley and Tavai in the middle and in turn, Wilson started just three games for The Patriots.
This will likely be the plan again for 2023. "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
When they do want speed? They’ll go to their new hybrid toy in Mapu instead.
Trade candidate:
Josh Uche.
The fourth-year linebacker out of Michigan is coming off his best NFL season where put up career highs in tackle (27), sacks (11.5), and forced fumbles (2) in 2022. He'll look to improve off of those numbers heading into an all-important contract year.
If Uche is in New England's long-term plans at the position, they should lock him up now before his price skyrockets after another quality season. If he isn't, they should trade him now and get value for him before he walks away for nothing.
Full roster projection:
IN: Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, Ja’Whuan Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Jahlani Tavai, Chris Board, Keion White (R), Marte Mapu (R)
OUT: Mack Wilson, Ronnie Perkins, Terez Hall, Calvin Munson, Okakunle Fatukasi
Grade heading into 2023:
B+.
Much like the rest of the rooms on the Patriots' defense, linebacker is one that shouldn't cause too much stress in 2023.
The defensive line is next. Stay tuned for the rest of the Patriots Depth Projection series here at WEEI.com as we count down the days until training camp.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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