Late replenishments Rd
Pats pluck two LBs on Day 3
FOXBORO — Coming off a season in which their linebacker group was depleted by injuries and an offseason full of departures, the Patriots entered this year’s draft with an obvious need at the position.
It took a while for them to address it, but they finally did yesterday.
On Day 3 of the draft, the Patriots used their first two picks on linebackers. With their fifth-round selection, No. 143 overall, they chose Purdue’s Ja’Whaun Bentley, and they took Arizona State’s Christian Sam with No. 178 overall in the sixth round.
Both will have to make the team first, but they project at the least as depth pieces for a unit that was in need of reinforcements after David Harris and James Harrison retired, and Shea McClellin was cut due to a failed physical designation.
The Patriots were expected to take an athletic linebacker whose strengths lie in coverage, but neither Bentley or Sam totally fit that mold.
In Bentley, the Pats found a self-described “thumper” whose skills are best in run-stopping. Bentley is listed at 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, but he reportedly trimmed down to 246 for his pro day. Still, his physicality is apparent.
Bentley said he loves to work out, and described himself as a “gym rat.” He did 31 bench reps at his pro day, and he said the most he’s ever done is 36.
“I would say that’s a thing that a linebacker must have,” Bentley said of his strength. “I always just looked to play my role, whatever it may be.”
That’ll be music to Bill Belichick’s ears, as the Patriots obviously value versatility in their players.
Bentley said he had experience playing on the line of scrimmage in addition to playing off-the-ball linebacker while at Purdue. At the Senior Bowl, though, he said he played almost exclusively on the line.
That was different for him, but Bentley felt he did well in that role. He said teams mostly talked to him about his linebacker experience during the pre-draft process, but he knows being versatile is a plus.
“I feel like I could do just about anything, so anything the team needs me to do, I’m there,” Bentley said.
That includes playing in coverage, too. Scouting reports suggest that may be a weakness of his — he said his best 40-yard dash time was 4.64 seconds — but he said he’s ready for anything thrown at him.
“(I’m) very comfortable. That’s part of the game,” Bentley said of playing in coverage. “As (a linebacker), that’s something you have to be able to do well in coverage, so I feel comfortable doing it all.”
Sam could complement Bentley well. Listed at 6-2, 237, Sam also plays a physical style, but he’s certainly more athletic than his new teammate. Sam said he played defensive back in high school, so he has more experience in coverage.
There may have been some questions about Sam’s commitment, but he quickly put those to rest. In its draft profile evaluation, NFL.com suggested that he didn’t like practicing, but he sternly denied that.
“Everyone has their own opinions,” Sam said. “They’re entitled to their own opinion. I feel like that was something that was put out there that wasn’t true. I’m a guy who when I practice I take pride in practicing because I know it’ll prepare me for the game and I know how big practice is to be able to prepare for the game and play at a very high level that week. …
“The only thing I control now moving forward is that I’m the best practice player I can be.”
His work ethic seemed to show through in college. In the first game of his junior season in 2016, he suffered a foot injury that ended his season, but he came back as a redshirt junior last year to earn AllPac 12 honorable mention as he led Arizona State with 127 tackles.
Sam projects to play off the line of scrimmage, but he said he can play anywhere. Like Bentley, he’s eager to get to Foxboro to see what his role can be.
“Coming in if they see something that they feel like I can do coming in, I’m going to go in there and do what they tell me to do and be coached up and just make sure I’m doing the right thing the first time and not having to be told over and over again,” Sam said. “That’s my job and responsibility going forward.”