Patriots To Re-examine Hybrid Linebacker/Safety Role With Matthew Wells?
 Matthew Wells can be an intriguing piece of the Patriots defense in 2015.Wells is an undersized LB that could fill the LB/S hybrid role in a big nickel package. (USA TODAY Images) |
Going to a 4-2-5 “Big” Nickel, Maybe Belichick Finds his “Tank”
The Patriots used a 6th Round draft choice (178th overall) to select Mississippi State LB Matthew Wells in the 2015 NFL Draft. Wells was pretty much of an unknown playing behind Benedrick McKinney at MSU and was an undersized (6’2, 222), but athletic player for the Bulldogs.
Wells started all 13 games as a senior at OLB and made 45 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and six QB hurries. He turned heads at the MSU Pro-day turning in a blistering fast 4.4 time in the 40, with a vertical leap of 35 inches, and a broad jump of 9’10”.
Now with his selection, the question is how will the Patriots try to utilize his talents at the next level? His primary focus, at least initially will be as a core special teams player. With his speed, he’ll fit in nicely as a gunner on the outside. On defense however his role isn’t a given.
With their focus this season in free agency and with the draft on the front seven, Wells is too small to be an every down linebacker. He is fast and can cover tight ends but isn’t suited to be a full-time safety, although he’s built more like a bigger safety than a linebacker.
One possibility is that the team uses Wells in the hybrid LB/Safety role that Bill Belichick tried to use with Tank Williams back a few years ago. In going to a “big nickel” in the Patriots 4-2-5, Wells would give New England a bigger look on defense and still give them enough of a run-stopping presence on the edge.
“Big Nickel” a Trend: With the passing in the NFL continuing to rise especially with the emergence of so many pass catching, athletic tight ends, teams have been struggling to catch up defensively.
Teams went to a traditional nickel, 4-2-5 with an extra corner in the game, but were at a disadvantage against athletic tight ends and setting the edge in the run game especially when offenses lined up in their “12” personnel, with 1RB, 2 TEs, 2WRs.
The Patriots used Kyle Arrington as their nickel corner for the past several years. But if facing a team using a two-tight end set, now Belichick can counter with a big nickel replacing a linebacker with a bigger LB/S hybrid who can cover tight ends and do a better job of setting the edge in the run game. And it uses a guy who can better get after the quarterback in a blitz situation.
It makes it harder for the offense to identify where the blitz or QB pressure is coming from when they slide the bigger LB/S up to the line in the slot and gives the defense more options and versatility.
Belichick tried to use Williams in this role in 2008 and again in 2009 but injuries derailed him without him ever taking the field. Williams was similar in size but slightly bigger than Wells at 6’3,223 but didn’t have his speed.
How Wells Will Fit With the Patriots: Belichick said after the draft that Wells is a hybrid LB/S type player so they’ll see if he can play in that role and will try to work him in.
Trying to read the tea leaves on the Patriots is always a difficult proposition but with Wells, the pieces fit and it would seem to be a perfect role for the 25 year-old prospect. He has the size, physicality and experience in setting the edge in the run game that he’ll be comfortable being up in the box and fast enough to run with any tight end or receiver out of the slot.
Wells has the flexibility and agility to get some good bend in rushing the quarterback off the edge, something you don’t normally find in most defensive backs when they come on the blitz.
Like the much more well known Shaq Thompson, Wells isn’t the traditional size of an NFL linebacker but can be very effective in pass defense. Check out the tweet from @PFF_Matt where he compares the two, similar type players. Wells actually had a bit of an edge overall over Thompson according to Pro Football Focus.
To get a better overall feel what Wells brings to the table, check his highlight video:
Matthew Wells is far from a lock to make the roster; the linebacker position now has some very good depth. With three starters, Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo returning, as well as bringing back Brandon Spikes for early down run support, the unit is deep and talented. Although both Mayo and Hightower are recovering from injuries, both should be ready by September.
Wells has the opportunity to carve out a role for himself; with questions at cornerback, the Patriots will look to get creative with their coverage schemes and their blitzes in the pass rush. It will be up to him to show that he can make plays on the field and cover the bigger more athletic tight ends and receivers out of the slot.
He’ll be an interesting guy to watch this spring and summer as he’ll be looking to fill a role that Bill Belichick has been trying to fill since 2008. It is funny that an undersized linebacker may fill the role of a “Tank” for the Patriots defense in 2015.
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