Patriots Likely to Sign Speedy All-Pro LB

The New England Patriots need to upgrade the team’s speed. The need for more raw athleticism is much needed throughout the entire team, but the void is particularly obvious at linebacker. This brings up assumptions that New England will be on the lookout for athletic linebackers in free agency and in the NFL Draft. One NFL analyst already has the Patriots as potential landing spot for one of the top free agent linebackers available.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine predicts the Patriots will sign Green Bay Packers impending free agent De’Vondre Campbell.

Campbell flashed 4.58 speed coming out of the University of Minnesota when he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. While he continued to prove himself in the first four years in the league with the Falcons and one season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, Campbell truly shone with the Packers in a contract season in 2021.

The linebacker earned first-team All-Pro honors as he lodged 146 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, 6 quarterback hits and an impressive approximate value score of 14, per Pro Football Reference.

If he can continue his momentum, the 28-year-old Campbell seems like the perfect successor to Dont’a Hightower.

The Patriots Will Need to Strengthen Linebacker Position

Former Patriots safety and current NFL analyst Rodney Harrison called out the team’s speed issue back in October 2021. He was a guest on WEEI’s Merloni and Fauria and was asked if he thought the Patriots’ linebackers looked slow.

“You’re spot on. It doesn’t seem like they’re slow — and I love those guys and I have so much respect for those guys — but yeah, they are slow,” Harrison said. “When you start watching LaVonte David [Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker], you start watching Devin (White) [Bucs LB] move and blitz and move from sideline to sideline, it’s a night and day difference,” Harrison added after he watched Tom Brady and the Bucs defeat the Patriots in Week 4 of the 2021 season.

“And that was the thing that really stood out to me. I’m like, ‘Look how fast and athletic Tampa Bay linebackers look.’ And the Patriots linebackers — the defense just looks slow. It’s always kind of looked like that, and it starts with those backers, man. Those guys have experience and things like that, but that’s something the Patriots definitely need to upgrade a little bit moving forward. That’s speed.”

The loss to the Bucs wasn’t the only instance where the lack of speed at the linebacker was evident. The Buffalo Bills also torched the Patriots defense in the second regular season meeting and in the postseason clash.

Other Options For Upgrades in LB Speed

The Patriots had three injured linebackers on their roster who also hindered their athleticism department. They lost Raekwon McMillan for the season to a knee injury during the preseason. Cameron McGrone was also drafted in the fifth round in 2021 while rehabbing a knee injury.

While not a complete burner, he does appear to be a bit more of a downhill and aggressive player capable of making some plays that could be outside of the older Patriots’ linebackers’ reach.

Lastly, there is Anfernee Jennings. He was taken in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft but landed on injured reserve before the season.

If he can return and make an impact in 2022, the lack of depth and athleticism at linebacker may not be as glaring of a weakness as it was in 2021.