Rolling along with our position previews before camp starts Wednesday by taking a look at both the inside and outside backers for the Pats.
It’ll be two separate pieces, so let’s start with the guys inside first…
Under Contact: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Joe Giles-Harris
Positional breakdown: Fans may not realize it, but your new veteran linebacker leaders are now Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai. Bentley is entering his sixth NFL season and signed an extension that lasts through the 2025 season in July of 2023. After playing just three games as a rookie in 2018, Bentley has played in 16, 13, 16, 17 and 16 contests since then, starting in all of them since 2020. Bentley made 55 solo tackles last season and has had over 50 in four straight years, including 68 and 62 in 2021 and 2022. Tavai has been a surprise since arriving from Detroit in 2021. That year, Tavai played in 13 games but didn’t start. Now, in back-to-back seasons he started all 17 games and has become a steady presence both on and off the field. He’s shown a knack for finding the ball too with two picks and two forced fumbles last year. He also racked up 65 solo tackles in 2023 and recently signed an extension that’ll make sure he remains an important leader for this team. Tavai is also a guy who can play outside when needed and his versatility will continue to come in handy for this defense.
Sione Takitaki is an interesting signing this past offseason. The former BYU Cougar joins the Patriots after playing his first five years in Cleveland. Takitaki started in 15 games and split time between the right side and middle linebacker his first three seasons. After appearing in 12 games in 2022, he again played in 15 last season, making 45 solo tackles with two sacks and three pass break ups. A physical presence, Takitaki should be able to play seamlessly in this defense and provide some speed that’s been severely lacking.
Joe Giles-Harris bounced between Buffalo and New England before finally landing on the Pats’ practice squad in August of last season. Giles-Harris has played a total of 17 games in the NFL since 2019 and will most likely remain a practice squad guy if he’s not eventually picked up by another team.