New England Patriots: 3 linebackers Belichick will regret not drafting

New England Patriots had Chad Muma of Montana there for the taking

Another highly touted possibility prior to the draft that was there for the taking by New England on their first two picks was Wyoming tackling machine, Chad Muma. He has top size at 6’3″ tall and about 239 pounds.

And production could be Muma’s middle name. He racked up 142 tackles and two interceptions in 2021, exactly the type of production that the Patriots could have used. In addition, the team was looking for speed, he has it, having run a quick 4.63, 40-yard dash at the combine.

Here’s part of what profootballnetwork.com had to say about Muma prior to the draft,

"The Wyoming linebacker has excellent ability to diagnose against the run. He reads the play well and is rarely wrong-footed. Furthermore, he can fill gaps to prevent big running plays. Muma also has impressive sideline-to-sideline range, enabling him to chase down ball carriers. He showcases the full extent of his athletic potential when working downhill… He routinely demonstrates excellent technique as a tackler. Finally, Muma appears to be a leader on the field. He routinely directs teammates in addition to leading with his physical play style. When you add in his special-teams ability and experience, Muma has all the hallmarks of an impressive NFL Draft prospect."

Muma is a sideline-to-sideline player who can track a ball carrier or quarterback across the field using his top speed to haul them down. He’s not the finished product, and bleacherreport.com notes:

"Muma occasionally shows stiff hips when flying downhill to rally and tackle, as well as when forced to match up man-to-man in space, but his zone skills should be more than enough to keep him on the field."

Regardless, Muma has oodles of raw talent. Linebacker coach Jerod Mayo would certainly have appreciated being able to help mold into a top Patriots linebacker who may very well be out of the school of Tedy Bruschi or himself.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen since the Patriots passed up the opportunity on two occasions to draft this potentially devastating second-level player. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Muma in the third round and the potential, or not, will be realized by that club at least for a few years.