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New England Patriots’ Linebacking Corps Has Talent To Become Best In NFL

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Jamie Collins New England Patriots

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In my positional breakdown of the New England Patriots, I ranked the team’s units from worst to first as training camp draws near. I ranked the linebacking corps as the Patriots’ second-best unit, but the release of Brandon Spikes and lingering injury concerns drops this unit to fourth.

The Patriots won the Super Bowl without Spikes and Jerod Mayo. Spikes played 2014 with the Buffalo Bills, while Mayo missed the majority of the season after tearing his patella tendon in a Week 6 victory at Buffalo. If they had both Spikes and Mayo, the Pats could arguably boast the best linebacker corps in the NFL. Without Spikes, and with Mayo and Dont’a Hightower rehabbing major injuries, the position certainly has some question marks.

The reason the unit ranks with the best in the league is because of the improved play of Hightower and Jamie Collins, who have become two of the young stars in the league. Collins made an enormous leap during his second season with the Patriots, recording 116 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and two interceptions.

At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Collins is an elite athlete who has minimal weaknesses in his game. He can cover in space, hold up in the run game, and disrupt as a blitzer. His athleticism also allows the Patriots to use him in numerous roles, and I’d expect Collins to improve and continue to be one of the elite linebackers in the NFL.

Hightower also played his very best during the 2014 season, making 89 tackles and six sacks in just 12 games. He also made the biggest tackle of the season, cutting down Marshawn Lynch one yard short of the end zone to setup Malcolm Butler’s title-clinching play in the Pats’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Hightower plays with a physical presence and gives the Pats a tone-setter, but he is currently still rehabbing from shoulder surgery he underwent in February. The fact that Hightower played the final month of the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder is a testament to his toughness and proves his dedication to the team. He’s expected to return sometime in August or September and could miss a few games.

Hightower’s uncertain status makes the loss of Spikes more concerning. Spikes knows the defense and could replicate many of the things Hightower provides as a linebacker. Now, if Hightower is to miss time, the Pats will have to find another option to fill the role.

One of the possible candidates is Mayo, who is entering his eighth season, but has missed the majority of the last two seasons due to injury. When healthy, Mayo is still a solid, reliable performer who wins with instincts and intelligence. His last full season was in 2012, when he produced 147 tackles, three sacks and four forced fumbles. I’m not sure Mayo has that kind of season left in him, but if he’s able to stay on the field, he provides versatility and another playmaker to the unit.

The release of Spikes also gives other players a better shot at earning a roster spot. Dane Fletcher returns to the Patriots after a season in Tampa Bay. Fletcher is the favorite to gain playing time, especially if injury causes Hightower to sit out a few games. Fletcher, at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, isn’t a thumper, but has what it takes to play as a three-down linebacker.

Fletcher is also a candidate to compete as the team’s top coverage linebacker. Rookie Matt Wells and several others, including Chris White, Dekoda Watson, Jonathan Freeny and Eric Martin, could also challenge for time as rotational players.

If they remain healthy, the linebacking unit will be the strength of the defense in 2015. They have rising stars in Collins and Hightower to go along with veteran leaders in Mayo and Fletcher. However, if injuries arise in 2015, their unproven depth could become a major concern.

Other Positional Breakdowns
10. Cornerback
9. Defensive Tackle
8. Safety
7. Offensive Line
6. Running Back
5. Wide Receiver
4. Quarterback
3. Defensive End

Nick Sardina is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksardina13, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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