The success of the Patriots linebacking corp will once again hinge on the health of WILL linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Hightower missed 11 regular season games and three playoff games last season with a torn pectoral muscle.

The Patriots need Hightower to play an entire season. He is the leader of the defense. He makes all the calls, all the checks and he plays in all packages. The Patriots defense has a different look when he’s not on the field.

Veteran Kyle Van Noy and third year line backer Elandon Roberts will flank Hightower in the Patriots base 4-3 defense.

Here is my breakdown of the Patriots linebacking corp.

Projected Starters: Dont’a Hightower (WLB), Elandon Roberts (MLB), Kyle Van Noy (SLB)

Back-Ups: J’Whaun Bentley (MLB), Marquis Flowers (WLB), Christian Sam (SLB) or Harvey Langi (SLB)

Positional Thoughts: As I mentioned earlier, the Patriots need Dont’a Hightower to stay healthy and on the field. He calls the defense, makes all the checks and plays multiple roles within the defense. Hightower can cover, blitz from depth and come off the edge. Hightower is one of the most versatile linebackers in the NFL. He is a very important piece that the Patriots will once again be counting on in 2018.

Kyle Van Noy was brought to New England because of his versatility. He can cover tight ends and backs in man coverage and come off the edge on blitzes. Van Noy is not a great athlete but he is smart and fits the Patriots scheme.

Mike linebacker Elandon Roberts is undersized but he plays with good instincts, attacks blockers and can find the ball. Roberts is more effective blitzing A gap and B gap than he is in coverage. He can be a liability in long down situations.

Rookie J’Whaun Bentley is another versatile linebacker that can play the SAM or MIKE linebacker spots. Bentley is physical against the run and can cover underneath in zone coverages.

Marquis Flowers provides depth at outside linebacker and is a key contributor on special teams. Harvey Langi will battle rookie Christian Sam for the fifth linebacker spot on the depth chart.

Versatility is the name game of the game if you want to play linebacker for Bill Belichick. Belichick wants guys that can play multiple roles in multiple packages. He has that with this current group of linebackers.