The Patriots linebacking corp struggled last season thanks to free agent defections, opt outs and inexperience.

Linebacker should be a strength of this team entering this season with the return of WILL linebacker and team leader Dont’a Hightower and SAM linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

Hightower opted out last season due to COVID-19 but he’s returned in great shape and ready to assume his role as the leader of the defense. Between his leadership and versatility, the Patriots defense should be much improved.

Van Noy left for greener pastures in Miami but got cut after one season and is back now. His three down versatility as a coverage linebacker and pass rusher will help the Patriots defense out immensely.

J’Whaun Bentley was not the same player last season that he was in 2019. He struggled with his expanded role and had to make up for the lack of talent around him. Bentley is a two down player. He is an A gap, B gap run supporter who excels at stopping the run. A job he will do better now than Hightower and Van Noy are flanking him again.

Rookie Josh Uche showed signs of being an impact player as a leveled linebacker last season. Uche predominately played on the line of scrimmage as an edge pass rusher in college so it took him some time to get acclimated to playing off the ball. Uche is versatile and he can be a factor either as a starter, back up or sub linebacker in nickel or dime.

Chase Winovich has had his moments as a Patriot but he has also been in Bill Belichick’s doghouse. Winovich needs to perform to his talent. It is not about meeting expectations. As he enters his third season, he needs to take the next step and become an elite level pass rusher in the team’s sub package fronts.

Second year linebacker Anfernee Jennings is also in line for an expanded role. He didn’t show much as a rookie and part of the problem is, he was out of position. Jennings is not a leveled linebacker. He is at his best coming off the edge in sub packages and playing special teams. All of that being said, he is a bubble guy who may struggle to make the team.

The Patriots signed veteran Raekwon McMillan this off-season. McMillan along with Terez Hall could push Bentley at the MIKE linebacker spot. McMillan is the more athletic linebacker of the three and could be more of a factor in coverage. It will be interesting to see what the snap distribution is in camp.

Harvey Langi returns as a depth linebacker and special teamer. Langi has good size and is athletic but he has had a hard time carving a niche for himself thus far in his career.

Rookie Cameron McGrone is probably not going to play this season (recovering from a torn ACL) but the fifth round pick has a lot of upside and profiles as a three down player. He could eventually replace Hightower at WILL linebacker.

The Patriots did not get enough out of this unit last season. The return of Hightower and Van Noy will help. So will the continued development of the young players at the position. With the Patriots possibly playing more 30 fronts this season, linebacker is a position that takes on an added importance.