New England Patriots: Top 5 concerns heading into 2022 NFL season
By John Hynes
Which New England Patriots linebacker will emerge?
The Patriots enter the season with a weakness that carries over from last year in their linebackers. Belichick has been known to go for bigger run-stuffers over the more modern-day linebacker with speed and versatility.
This strategy has left them struggling with pass-coverage especially over the middle with slower guys like Ja’Whaun Bentley. The only reinforcement coming really is Mack Wilson, a fifth-round Alabama product acquired from the Cleveland Browns. At 233 lbs, Wilson is a bit more mobile than Bentley, however he has not proved to be a huge impact player to this point of his career.
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Furthermore, edge guys like Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings will be forced to ascend into bigger roles after losing Donta’ Hightower and Chase Winovich, amongst other veterans, this past offseason.
They still have a premier edge-threat in Matthew Judon, and if Uche and Jennings can both make a leap there is still reason to believe the group will be just fine, but until those questions are answered this is a very feasible concern for New Englanders to have.