The linebacker position has changed in recent years. Teams are exclusively playing mostly nickel and dime packages now thanks to all the spread offenses they are seeing. The NFL has gone from a 21 personnel league to a 10 and 11 personnel league offensively. Defenses have adjusted and matching up with more athletes on the field. The Patriots have been doing it for years. You see how much they emphasize it when you look at the composition of their roster.
Despite the league shifting offensively, the Patriots still deploy traditional inside linebackers. Jahlani Tavai and J,Whaun Bentley still play the bulk of the snaps in this defense.
Here is our preview of the inside linebackers and edge rushers.
Inside Linebackers
Jahlani Tavai, SLB, 6-2 255, Hawaii: Tavai emerged as one of the most consistent members of the defense last season. After spending the previous two seasons mostly on special teams, Tavai graduated to a starting role and played well next to J’Whaun Bentley. Tavai is long, athletic and is effective blitzing inside or off the edge. He has a similar skill set to Bentley so he complements his running mate well. The Patriots will once again be counting on Tavai to play meaningful snaps on defense and on special teams.
J’Whaun Bentley, MLB, 6-0 250 Purdue: Bentley has emerged as one of the leaders of the defense and is a player who is heavily counted on to make all the checks along the front seven. Bentley finished last season with 125 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 interception. He has blossomed into a three down player something that wasn’t fathomable when he was drafted in 2019. At the time he was profiling more as your prototypical two down MIKE Backer. Now Bentley is a three down difference maker and one of the faces of the Patriots defense. He will be counted to anchor New England’s front seven.
Chris Board, MLB,6-2 244 North Dakota State: Board was signed to primarily be a special teamer but he has starting experience with both the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions. Board adds toughness, athleticism and leadership to a special teams unit that can use it. He can play on all specials and also back up at inside linebacker and be used to situational packages. It would not be surprising to see Board play meaningful snaps defensively this season. He brings a lot more to the table than he gets credit for.
Marte Mapu, HY, 6-2 230, Sacramento State: We are listing Mapu as a hybrid player because that is what he. He will play at all three levels for the Patriots this season. Mapu is an instinctual player who is physical. He plays downhill and he is a terrific tackler. Mapu has proven during the course of his college career that he has the ability to play over the top in coverage or in the box in run support. The key for Mapu is staying healthy. He needs to stay on the field because as we have seen on his college tape, when he is healthy, he is a difference no matter where he lines up.
Mack Wilson, SLB, 6-0 230, Alabama: Wilson was supposed to make an impact on defense but he made his greatest impact on special teams. Wilson will once again be a special teamer this season and he could find his way on the field in nickel and dime packages.
Calvin Munson, SLB, 6-1 240, San Diego State: The veteran linebacker was signed in January. His best shot of making the roster is as a special teamer but Monson can also play inside linebacker and provide depth. Monson was a highly productive player at SDSU displaying good instincts and playing the game with physicality. Munson was also a baseball player at SDSU.
Terez Hall, MLB, 6-1 240, Missouri: Hall has been in and out of the Patriots line up the past few seasons. He has been primarily a special teamer but he has also provided depth. Given the depth at linebacker, he will have a hard time making the roster but he is a familiar player to the defensive staff so that enhances his chances.
Olakunle Fatukasi, SLB 6-2 240, Rutgers: Fatukasi has bounced around playing for the Bucs and the Broncos. He is looking for an opportunity to play on special teams and provide depth defensively. He has intriguing size and plays downhill with good instincts as a linebacker.
EDGES
Matthew Judon, 6-3 270, Grand Valley State: Judon is the Patriots best player. He finished with 60 total tackles and 15.5 sacks last season. Judon impacts the game in so many ways, not just as a pass rusher. He can set an edge in the run game and he uses a variety of pass rush moves to challenge offensive tackles. Add to that his attitude and leadership and you can sign why he has been worth every penny of his free agent contract. The Patriots will once again be leaning on Judon as their top defensive playmaker. Expect another big season from Judon statistically.
Josh Uche, 6-1 240, Michigan: Uche is coming off a career high 11.5 sacks. He came on strong in the second half of last season and finally turned into the player the Patriots thought they were getting when they drafted him in 2020, Now Uche goes into a contract year and looking to replicate or build off of last season’s statistical success. He will garner more attention from opposing teams in pass protection so the Patriots will have to find ways to move him around and free him upon their fronts. If Uche can be as effective as he was last season, the Patriots will have the most dynamic pass rush duo in the league.
Anfernee Jennings, 6-2 255, Alabama: Jennings needs to have a good camp in order to make the team and he needs to produce when he gets his opportunity. He has flashed some upside in the past but he just hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant more snaps. This is a make or break training camp for Jennings. He must play well and carve a role for himself or else his tenure in New England could come to a close.
Ronnie Perkins, 6-3 250, Oklahoma: If Perkins could stay healthy, we would know what the Patriots have in him. He has missed his first two seasons in the NFL which is disappointing because he had so much fanfare when he entered the league. The pass rushing talent is evident with Perkins. He could make a real impact. The issue is health. Can he stay on the field? He has not proven that he can so we do not really know what he can be right now.
Position Breakdown: The Patriots have arguably the best pass rushing duo in the NFL right now in Judon and Uche but inside linebacker leaves a little more to be desired. Bentley is a good player but outside of him, the Patriots will need more out of those guys especially on first and second down.