Going old school or new wave
Pats have options available for both at LB in the draft
Welcome to Potential Patriots!
Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on April 28, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position. The Pats have eight picks this year, starting at 21st overall, the first domino to fall in another crucial draft. As for their other selections, the Patriots could pad their depth virtually anywhere, having plugged some roster holes in free agency and via trade. Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ best prospect fits at inside linebacker:
Day 1
Devin Lloyd, Utah Ht/Wt:
Projected round: 1st Scouting report: Lloyd’s been a popular Patriots pick in mock drafts because he has the size and versatility that Bill Belichick covets in his linebackers. He’s big, aggressive and fast, and most of all, he’s a playmaker who can fit in any scheme.
He’s put up production in all of the important categories, including 43 tackles for loss over the last three seasons. It’s easy to see him as a fit for the Patriots.
He played safety in high school before transitioning to linebacker at Utah. He’s a two-time team captain, loves to watch film, and saw time on special teams. That sure sounds like a perfect
6-3, 235
Belichick prospect. He needs to add some bulk to improve strength, but that shouldn’t be an issue.
Nakobe Dean, Georgia Ht/Wt: 5-11, 229
Projected round: 1st-2nd Scouting report: Sideline to sideline, it’s hard to find anyone better than the 2021 Butkus Award winner. He’s a playmaking machine.
If Patriots personnel head Matt Groh is to be believed, the team might have to go against prototype and bring in smaller, faster linebackers, because that’s what the college game is producing. Still, it’s not a lock for the Pats to move in that direction and go with someone in the Dean mold.
He’s certainly the poster boy for the new-age linebacker who can really move, make plays and impact a game both against the run and the pass. The Pats will love his football IQ and intangibles, but his size and fit in their scheme remain a question.
Quay Walker, Georgia Ht/Wt: 6-4, 245
Projected round: 1st-2nd Scouting report: Walker has the exact size the Patriots generally look for in a linebacker. He’s great at shedding blocks. But he also has the type of athleticism and speed they need and have put an emphasis on going forward for the linebacker group.
Walker is a freakish athlete. He ran a 4.52 in the 40yard dash, so he can fly. He’s a taller version of Dean, although he doesn’t have the same type of instincts or feel for the game just yet. But those are developing.
He played outside linebacker and defensive end in high school, before moving inside at Georgia. The arrow is pointing up in terms of his potential to be an impact player at the next level.
Day 2
Christian Harris, Alabama Ht/Wt: 6-0, 226
Projected round: 2 Scouting report: Being a three-year starter for Nick Saban and the player who aligned Alabama’s pre-style defense pre-snap bodes well for Harris’ future. After all, it worked well for Dont’a Hightower.
Harris has the skillset to drop in coverage, get downhill to stop the run, or make plays via the blitz. That overall ability and versatility is something the Patriots gravitate towards. He has the type of elite athleticism that should allow him to contribute right away.
In high school, he was a defensive back, before transitioning to inside linebacker and an every-down player for Saban.
Chad Muma, Wyoming Ht/Wt: 6-3, 239
Projected round: 2 Scouting report: Muma, a two-year starter at middle linebacker, has size and plenty of notable football traits. The Pats will be drawn to his ability to process plays quickly. He’s a tackling machine as evidenced by the 142 he collected in 2021, which ranked second in the FBS.
He can also play in coverage, which gives him the ability to be a three-down player at the next level. He’s a two-time team captain who has a good football IQ. He’s highly competitive and was impressive as a special teams player his first two seasons.
Leo Chenel, Wisconsin Ht/Wt: 6-3, 250
Projected round: 2nd-3rd Scouting report: He’s another big man who can move. He made his living in the backfield, leading the Big Ten in tackles for loss in 2021 with 18.
His athleticism and strength have been wellchronicled. He benched 420 pounds. He leapt a whopping 40.5 inches in the vertical and 10-8 in the broad jump to go along with a 4.53second time in the 40.
He was a two-year starter at inside linebacker. While he needs to improve in coverage and as a blitzer, his ability to defend the run should draw the Pats.
Troy Andersen, Montana State
Ht/Wt:
Projected round: 2nd-3rd Scouting report: What a story. Andersen’s a former college quarterback, a high school valedictorian, and a freakish athlete who can play any number of positions.
He was a two-year starter at middle linebacker, but did so much more. He led the team in passing, rushing and total tackles in three different seasons.
Per the Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Anderson had 40
6-4, 235
career starts, 25 at linebacker, 11 at quarterback and four at running back. With that, he has the type of versatility that screams being a Patriot. He could conceivably contribute on offense, defense and special teams.
Day 3
Malcolm Rodriquez, Oklahoma State
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 232
Projected round: 4th-5th Scouting report: He’s a twotime captain and four-year starter. He may be undersized but he was highly productive as a weak side linebacker.
He also played quarterback in high school, as well as safety.
He led the team in tackles three consecutive seasons, becoming just the fourth player in school history to reach 400 career tackles. Rodriguez, who has a wrestling background, is an instinctive player who just makes plays, both behind the line of scrimmage and in space.