6 Patriots on the Chopping Block After Week 7 Loss

4. Raekwon McMillan

As the Patriots have struggled to fill the shoes of defensive standout Ja'Whaun Bentley at linebacker, Raekwon McMillan has not been up to the task.

After McMillan had struggled over the last several games, New England's coaching staff opted to start Christian Elliss at linebacker. Featuring more as a special teams piece, Elliss played 42 snaps against the Jaguars, the second-most of his career and most since joining the Patriots. Elliss was credited with nine total tackles on Sunday, the second-highest total on New England's defense.

McMillan only played 11 snaps in the loss to Jacksonville. Besides Week 1 – when Bentley was healthy and McMillan didn't play a single defensive snap – Sunday was McMillan's lowest snap count of the season. The seven-year veteran finished with three total tackles.

McMillan is just one of many Patriots who have been thrust into elevated roles due to the injury bug, but he is clearly falling out of favor with New England's coaching staff. He faces an uphill battle in earning more playing time.