Patriots 2023 NFL Draft: 4 linebackers with extreme upside
Patriots linebacker prospects: Isaiah Moore, N.C. State
As much as the New England Patriots need to add speed to their linebacking corps, Isaiah Moore is worth making an exception for.
He ran a 4.68 40-yard dash at the NC State Pro Day, but he doesn’t look slow on tape. Maybe it’s because he processes fast. Moore has excellent recognition and instincts, enabling him to diagnose plays and act quickly. He accumulated 43.5 tackles for a loss over five years, 15.5 last year alone.
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When Moore gets to the ball, he arrives emphatically. If Moore has a clear shot, he uses all of his 6-2 and 230-pound frame to stop ball carriers in their tracks. And once Moore wraps his arms, ball carriers usually don’t get away.
Moore looks great as a run defender, but performed poorly in the three cone and 20-yard shuttle drills. He’ll probably be a liability on passing downs, hurting his draft stock.
But Moore’s best traits can’t be measured. The Patriots were apparently blown away by Moore’s intangibles when they met him at the Senior Bowl. The football IQ and leadership (three-year captain) left an impression with the New England coaches.
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Moore’s role as a pro is likely as a run defender on early downs and short/goal line situations. But do the Patriots need another Ja’Whaun Bentley-type of linebacker? Moore is slated as a late day three selection, if he gets drafted at all. Moore’s chances of becoming a Patriot improves if New England doesn’t have to spend a draft pick on him.