Images courtesy of Getty Images
The Patriots fortified their inside linebacker and linebacker positions both in free agency and the draft. Adding an impact off the ball linebacker was a priority. The Patriots added two in Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens. New England also matched the Las Vegas Raiders offer sheet on Christian Elliss.
Improving a stagnant pass rush was also a priority. The Patriots did that with the additions of Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson and rookie Bradyn Swinson. All three should add some much needed juice to the pass rush.
Here is our Inside Linebacker/EDGE preview.
EDGE/OLB’s
Harold Landry III 6-2 252 Boston College: Landry will give the pass rush the much needed explosiveness it has lacked the last two seasons. In 2021 he had 12 sacks and he racked up 10.5 in 2023. The former Boston College standout is versatile and can play on or off the ball depending on the down and distance and package. Landry won’t just improve the pass rush. He will bring leadership as well.
Anfernee Jennings 6-2 255 Alabama: Jennings is arguably the Patriots best EDGE defender when it comes to playing the run. Jennings does a great job of controlling blockers, squeezing gaps and anchoring down. He is not an elite level pass rusher but he does enough to get consistent pressure and he closes quickly in space. Perhaps Jennings best attribute is his consistency. He can be counted on to do his job.
K’Lavon Chaisson 6-3 255 LSU: Chaisson has not become the player many thought he would when he was drafted 20th overall in the 2020 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite that, he is only 25 years old and coming off of a 5.5 sack season with the Raiders last season. Chaisson has length, explosiveness and can close quickly on quarterbacks. He signed a one year deal so he will have the opportunity to prove he can still be a good player and not just a situational pass rusher.
Bradyn Swinson 6-3 241 LSU: Swinson reminds a lot of people of Chaisson but with more upside as a run defender and as a pass rusher. Swinson is explosive and he has double digit sack potential. The question is, can he carve out enough of a role this season to maximize that potential? With a strong training camp and preseason, Swinson could find his onto sub packages and some special teams but the hope is, he gradually develops into an integral part of the front seven.
Elijah Ponder 6-3 260 Cal-Poly: The undrafted free agent has a lot of upside as a pass rusher. He is explosive off the ball and plays with good burst and closing speed. He is a long shot to make the team but with a good camp, he is a good bet to end up on the practice squad. Ponder had a good spring and his college numbers warrant a long look. Ponder led the Big Sky in sacks with 10 and was fifth nationally. He also had 52 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hurries.
Truman Jones 6-3 255 Harvard: The former Harvard captain was signed at the end of last season after spending two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones is tough, smart and plays disciplined football. He will get the bulk of his work on special teams but he can also carve out a role as a back up and as a rotational pass rusher.
Inside Linebackers
Robert Spillane 6-2 229 Western Michigan: Spillane was one of the big ticket signings this off-season. After spending the first six years of his career in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas, Spillane comes to New England where he will be counted on to lead the linebacking room. Spillane is a versatile player who can play all three downs and play on and off the ball. He will be used in a myriad of ways by defensive coordinator Terrell Williams as the Patriots try to get more out of him.
Jahlani Tavai 6-4 250 Hawaii: Tavai struggled at times last season after taking over in the middle for J’Whaun Bentley after he got hurt. He also battled injuries and got caught up in an incident with the local media at the end of the season. To make matters worse, he suffered an injury at OTA’s. When healthy, Tavai is a good player who could be a good scheme fit in Mike Vrabel and Williams system but he will have to prove to the defensive staff that he warrants keeping on the roster in some capacity. Tavai will have a lot of competition.
Christian Elliss 6-2 231 Idaho: The Patriots surprised executives and those who cover the NFL when they matched a pricey offer sheet that Elliss signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. People around the building will tell you however, it is not that much of a surprise. Elliss is the consummate professional and he is a valuable part of the linebacking room and the team’s special teams unit. Elliss had 80 total tackles last season including 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He was a playmaker and it is why Vrabel and the Patriots ultimately decided to match the offer sheet and bring him back.
Jack Gibbens 6-3 242 Minnesota: Gibbens was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans in 2022. He is very familiar with both Vrabel and Williams and knows the defensive scheme they are implementing well. Gibbens made it a point this spring to point out that he was clamoring for a reunion with Vrabel and it is why he signed here. Gibbens could be in the mix to start in base packages and he will also be a rotational linebacker in sub packages and play on special teams.
Marte Mapu 6-3 230 Sacramento State: Mapu got better as last season went on and really came on as a hybrid linebacker, safety in sub packages. It will be interesting to see how he is used in this scheme but he will play a lot both in sub packages and special teams. Mapu is just scratching the surface of his potential. I would expect to see lined up on the first and second and used a fair amount in the Patriots pressure packages. He could play a big part on the defense as the season goes on.
Cam Riley 6-5 230, Florida State: Riley is an intriguing undrafted rookie. He has length and can play on and off the ball. He has some pass rushing skills so he can be used off the edge or as an off ball blitzer. He is a player to watch in training camp. Especially if he can carve out a role on special teams.
Monty Rice 6-0 238 Georgia: Rice was signed by the Patriots last season and was mostly a special teamer. He will more than likely fill a similar role this season and could compete for back-up and sub package snaps in training camp. Given the depth in the room, he is a long shot to make the roster.