New England Patriots free agency 2018: 5 potential upgrades at linebacker

With free agency approaching, the New England Patriots will be looking to address their weakness at linebacker.  Here are 5 free agent targets that would upgrade the position.

Due to injuries and a lack of depth, the New England Patriots linebacker group was one of the weaknesses of the team.

Exposed in Super Bowl LII and throughout most of the season, the unit lacked speed and a general awareness in pass coverage.  With an inability to set the edge, opposing running backs found consistent success running the ball towards the outside of the Patriots’ defense until the team signed veteran linebacker James Harrison.

The fact that the team had to depend on a 39-year-old linebacker summed up how desperate the Patriots were to patch up that weakness.  It did not help in pass coverage, as teams constantly found success against the Patriots second level of defense.

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While veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy had a solid season, players like Elandon Roberts and Marquis Flowers showed flashes, but lacked consistency against the run and in covering running backs out of the backfield.

Some of the issues the linebackers had should be fixed with the return of Dont’a Hightower and promising rookie linebacker Harvey Langhi.  Then again, the Patriots would be relying on the health of Hightower and the youth and experience of Langhi.

That’s why one of the offseason needs in free agency has to be to sign a reliable linebacker to go with both Hightower and Van Noy.

There will be quite a few available on the market and here are five linebackers the team should sign.

Preston Brown

Could Preston Brown become the next Buffalo Bills player to leave for the New England Patriots?

The thought has certainly crossed his mind.

In a recent interview with Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the free agent linebacker opened up about the potential of joining the Patriots and specified how he could help the defense.

Selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, Brown has established himself as a solid middle linebacker.  He led the Bills with 144 tackles last season and what Bill Belichick would love about him is that he has called plays in the huddle.  He has also been a durable player throughout his four-year career never missing a single game.

There is no doubt the 25-year-old Brown would fit nicely in the Patriots defense, but is he affordable?

According to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, Preston Brown could earn up to $7 million per year.  Either, the Patriots will make their splash on a player like Brown or he would take less to make the kind of impact under Bill Belichick that he says he could make.

Sounds like who wants to miss for a reasonable price.

Nigel Bradham

One instant upgrade at the position and someone consistently linked to the Patriots is Nigel Bradham.

Not only would the 28-year-old linebacker help in pass coverage, he would allow for both Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy to move around to different positions.

With the type of season Bradham had with the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Patriots wouldn’t be the only team in strong pursuit of a player like Bradham.  At 6-foot-2, 241 pounds and a high motor, which team wouldn’t be?

So, it is going to come down to money for the Patriots.  Will they be willing to pay him $6 million per year, which is his estimated asking price?

It will depend on the fit and may also depend on how things go with Preston Brown.  And how fitting would it be that a player who played on the team that defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII can join the team and help them win in 2018.

Paul Worrilow

If this name sounds familiar, it’s because the Patriots showed interest in Paul Worrilow last season.

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The 27-year-old linebacker ended up signing with the Detroit Lions after spending his previous four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, including the team that met the Patriots in Super Bowl LI.

With his best season coming in 2014 in which he had 84 total tackles and 2.0 sacks, Worrilow is the type of linebacker who could serve as a Rob Ninkovich type hybrid player when healthy.

At the very least, he could play a similar role to that as Shea McClellin if the Patriots decide to move on from the veteran linebacker as a cap casualty.

If that does happen, a player like Worrilow could be a cheaper option at the linebacker position.  Although he only recorded 30 total tackles in eight games started last season with the Lions, Paul Worrilow could return to the player he was in 2014 and 2015 for Atlanta.

Put in the right position, he could be a pleasant surprise for the money spent.

Paul Posluszny

Although the New England Patriots are looking to get younger and more athletic at the position, a veteran linebacker like Paul Posluszny could be a good temporary fill.

At his age, he is definitely not long-term solutions, but his leadership and experience could be utilized to teach younger linebackers to succeed at the position. Hey, if the team is considering bringing back 39-year-old James Harrison, why not Posluszny.

As one of the top linebackers in the game, the 33-year-old veteran hasn’t had many winning seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.  If the Jags do not bring him back, he would likely seek a team with an opportunity to win.

He may have lost a step in pass coverage, but what he could give the team on non-passing downs in a part-time role.  Again, Paul Posluszny will not solve the speed issue the team has, but you have to believe Bill Belichick will find a way to utilize a savvy veteran who has a hunger to win now.

Update:

Avery Williamson

Either Preston Brown or Nigel Bradham would be great fits for the Patriots, but free agent linebacker Avery Williamson would absolutely solve much of the team’s needs.

Earning the sixth-highest run-defense grade among linebackers in 2017, Pro Football Focus has noted Williamson as a dream splash signing for the Patriots.  It would indeed be a splash as the 26-year-old linebacker will demand some top bucks in free agency.

After what the team did last offseason with the splash signing of Stephon Gilmore, anything is possible.  At his age, he has tremendous upside and would allow Dont’a Hightower to play more on the edge, where he is very effective.

Overall, signing a player like Avery Williamson will solve a couple of positions.  He would be an instant upgrade at inside linebacker, which again, would allow Hightower to rush the quarterback on passing downs.

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With many teams having interest in the talented linebacker, this one is definitely a dream signing.  But, boy, imagine if the New England Patriots were somehow able to add Williamson to their defense.