What Linebacker will Stand Out and Show Explosive Playmaking Ability this Summer??

Second year Linebacker Brady Swinson needs to step up and show he belongs in the NFL this camp.

Patriots Linebackers (16)

As summer camp approaches the team will look at which linebackers will step up for the team this summer? Which linebackers will be explosive and dominant for the team this camp and in the preseason? Who will make the team, and who will land on the practice squad? For the Patriots to be successful the linebackers must be elite and have depth behind the starters. In this article we will look at who will make the team and who will be practice squad eligible.

My first players we will look at will help set the edge as well as play linebacker for the team. Newly signed free agent Dre' Mont Jones is entering his ninth season in the NFL. Jones brings elite pass rushing skills as well as leadership to the team and will be counted on to lead the defense. Next up second round rookie Gabe Jacas out of Illinois who was drafted to be an explosive pass rusher this season. However, Jacas is coming off offseason surgery and is still unsigned as the rookies are less than a week away from reporting to summer camp on July 22. When Jacas does sign his contract and reports he will be behind his teammates as they have been practicing with the team all trough spring and camp. Harold Landry III is also another player who will set the Edge and also play linebacker. Landry is entering his entering his eighth season and coming off an injury last season. Before Landry's injury he was having an elite season and needs to return to form this season for the team. Next up are proven starters on the team as returning veterans Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis will continue to shine with the Patriots this season. Namdi Obiazor comes to the Patriots after being drafted in the sixth round of this year's draft out of TCU. He has some speed and size to make the roster. Namdi should be a roster lock after the team spent a decent draft pick on him, but if for some reason he doesn’t make the team, I can see him on the practice squad. These players should anchor both the edge and linebacker room this season for the team.

We now move to look at linebackers on the roster currently who should add depth to the team. First up Bradyn Swinson going into his second year has a solid chance to make the active roster this season, but he needs to come into camp show that he’s explosive and can be dominant on defense. He also must develop into having a leadership role on this team if he can do this, he will make the roster. I look for Bradyn to take the next step and develop into a key role on defense this upcoming season, stepping in and earning a spot on this team. Next up KJ Britt, who comes to the team after signing a contract in the off-season. KJ is entering his sixth season in the NFL and can add some solid depth to the linebacker room but must show he can be explosive. Britt also must come into camp be a leader and demonstrate he can set the edge and lock down opposing running backs in camp and in preseason games. Now if he can do that this summer, I think he should have a roster spot. Now Chad Muma came to the Patriots last season after spending time with Indianapolis. Chad logged some playing time down the stretch of last season on defense he can be a contributor on special teams but may have an uphill battle to make the team. Jesse Luketa is another veteran who will have an uphill battle to make the team, but if he does make the team and has a decent summer camp, he can be a backup linebacker and add depth at the position. Otis, Reese, Amari Gainer, and undrafted free agent Khalil Jacobs are all linebackers who should land on the practice squad or be practice squad eligible with great summer camps or preseason games.

Finally, I conclude this article looking back at the Linebackers and I can see between four six linebackers making the squad coming out of summer camp with two or three making the practice squad. For the Patriots to have a successful and elite defense this season they are going to need 4 to 6 starters and two or three backups. They will also have to continue to teach and develop the youngsters in the room. In closing I can see the linebacker room being in the top fifteen if they can get solid development from the youngsters and have an elite but solid season.