The middle of the Patriots defense was instantly improved for 2021 when it was reported Donta' Hightower would be returning after opting out of last year, but after how things went a year ago, more was needed.
That came Friday, as according to multiple reports the Patriots have agreed to a one-year deal with linebacker Raekwon McMillan.
McMillan, who is just 25 years old, will now play for his third NFL team. He was a second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2017 and then was traded to the Raiders prior to last season.
He missed 2017 season with a torn ACL, but had a monster second season in the league as he was Miami's starting middle linebacker. He finished the year with 105 tackles. McMillan was Miami's starting middle linebacker again in 2019, but missed the final few games with a hamstring injury.
McMillan started just four games last year in Las Vegas, so it wasn't a huge surprise that he wasn't brought back for 2021.
As for his fit with the Patriots, he will provide depth along with Ja'Whaun Bentley and Terez Hall behind Hightower. Given he was a second-round pick, he obviously has talent and it will be up to the coaching staff to put him in the best position to succeed.
Bill Belichick and the team did meet with him in the pre-draft process in 2017.
"When you first meet him, you're scared," McMillan said at the time. "He's quizzing you. It's like a little test. But after you get done with the test, the quiz or whatever, drawing up the defense, it's pretty cool. They're real down to earth people. Really cool."
