New England Patriots: 3 biggest questions entering 2022 training camp
The New England Patriots lost three veteran linebackers to free agency in Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and Kyle Van Noy. They need to be replaced. It’s highly questionable whether they have been. For the sake of this argument, let’s include edge players with the linebackers.
There were great expectations among fans that the team would go hard and heavy in the NFL draft to add to that position. They didn’t. In fact, they didn’t even draft one. The draft omission could be a very, very costly one. It made no sense whatsoever no matter how you look at it.
Adding a couple or a few young linebackers/edge players to the competitive mix seemed more than warranted. Completely neglecting the position has to be looked upon as a huge gamble at best, and a monstrous blunder at worst. The team passed on consensus good players throughout the draft.
Instead, Bill Belichick is counting on formerly injured players to fill the void. This is risky business and the defense which was shredded by the Division-winning Buffalo Bills needed an infusion of top-level talent at the linebacker position. It didn’t get it.
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Their top edge player Matt Judon returns. A Pro-Bowler, he’s the Patriots best defensive player. No problem there. Slowed by Covid last season, a healthy Judon will be even better and will lead the defense again. JaWhaun Bentley is a reliable if not spectacular inside backer and he’ll be back.
The rest of the linebackers/edge players are all question marks. Returning injured players the team is counting on include Raekwon McMillan, who missed the entire 2021 season with a knee injury, and, 2021 fifth-round pick Cameron Mcgrone who was redshirted last season, again with a knee injury. Hopes are high for both.
Mack Wilson came over in a trade with Cleveland for underperforming Chase Winovich. He’s had injury issues, as well. Others include former second-round pick, edge Josh Uche who’s made little impact, and former third-round pick, inside linebacker Anfernee Jennings who’s done even less.
Rounding out this underwhelming group are Ronnie Perkins, another 2021 third-round pick who’s done nothing, and essentially special teamers, Jahlani Tavai and Harvey Langi.
Objectively, that group is not likely to put fear into any offense the team will face this season. It’s a real issue and the personnel operation whiffed on trying to do anything of substance to improve it. This is a dire prediction, indeed, but it’s predicated on past performances and injury realities. The last big problem is defined by mediocrity upfront on the defense.