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Patriots: Edge/linebacker crew moves from weakness to strength

By Michael DeVito

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 15: Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens gets hands on Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 15: Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens gets hands on Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots needed help in their vapid linebacking unit so they remade the group in style and improved dramatically in free agency for 2021.

Last season, this squad was weakened by several key losses. In free agency, they lost Kyle Van Noy, multi-faceted edge/inside backer to Miami.

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Elandon Roberts a solid substitute also traipsed off to Miami. In addition, Dont’a Hightower, a defensive leader, and a big-time, big-game player opted out of the season due to COVID-19.

Those events took away their two best linebackers, a solid back-up and a part-time starter in Roberts, who was also a captain. Big-time losses that were felt big-time.

Last season in the draft, New England drafted heavily to try to shore up the linebacker/edge position (as well as tight end, but that’s another story).

They invested heavily, early and often drafting Michigan edge player Josh Uche, a player who started sparingly in Ann Arbor in the second round, and Anfernee Jennings, an edge/inside linebacker from Alabama in the third round.

Neither Uche nor Jennings made much of an impact and certainly fell far short of even approximating the top production of Hightower and Van Noy.

Uche played in nine games with nine tackles and one sack. Jennings was a bit better and had 20 tackles in 14 games with no sacks. Needless to say, both had an underwhelming impact.

New England Patriots big free agency moves to bolster the edge and linebacker

Now the good news. And it’s very good. First, New England gets back their probably best overall linebacker (along with Van Noy) from opt-out, Dont’a Hightower.

Without a doubt, Hightower is a difference-maker. A big play guy who plays his best in the biggest moments. Having a year off to heal up ailments could be a plus if he’s in top condition. We’ll see.

Hightower had 71 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2019 and was named to the Pro Bowl. The guys a top player. In addition, an underrated versatile component of two Patriots Super Bowl-winning teams is also back in Van Noy.

Last season, Van Noy was a top performer notching 6 sacks and 69 total tackles for the playoff Dolphins. He was then unceremoniously dumped by Miami and came back home.

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Keep this firmly in mind, Van Noy is motivated folks. He’s a solid veteran and he’s a very, very good football player. Van Noy is actually a Pro Bowl level performer, without the silverware. He’d have led the Patriots in sacks last season with 6.0.

Add that big-play production to Hightower’s expected 5 or so, that’s 11 found sacks.  And again, Van Noy is a big-play guy, a personal favorite, and that’s not all.

It actually gets even a little bit better. To further bolster the linebacker edge position enters another free agent newcomer, Matt Judon from the always good, always tough Baltimore Ravens.

Judon is a superb edge player who can rush from the left or the right side. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler (the past two seasons, thank you).

Feel free to lock him into roughly seven-plus or so sacks. Maybe more. Added to the expected 11 or so from Hightower and Van Noy, and you have an added an almost guaranteed 18 additional sacks to work with.

That’s difference-making production from just one level of the defense.

Another lesser-known addition who could add value is Raekwon McMillan. McMillan may not be a difference-maker, but he’s depth.

Here’s how patriots.com analyzed McMillan’s game,

"Analysis: “A hard-hitting inside linebacker, McMillan could provide a presence similar to former Patriot Elandon Roberts, but most directly might find his way onto the roster because of his special teams play, potentially replacing someone like Brandon Copeland, who reportedly signed with the Falcons on Friday.” – Mike Dussault"

The Patriots’ offseason moves this year have generally to date been superb. Why not give the benefit of the doubt to McMillan, a 25-year old from Ohio State. One never knows when another Mike Vrable could be found.

The Patriots also have Chase Winovich, who’s a consistent 5+ sack guy with a multi-valve motor. He’s a personal favorite and here’s hoping that he makes a second-year jump in his third season and gets the 8-10 sacks we know he is capable of.

The Patriots linebacker/edge crew may be one of the best in the entire NFL.

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