2026 Draft: Linebacker

[One-If-By-Sea]

I like Golday a lot and I'd be very happy if we drafted him but I don't see him as a MLB 1 to replace Spillane in the long-term like I do Allen. I think he's an Elliss or Tavai replacement.

I agree but I do not see it as R1 or R2.

 

[stelfans]

Trotter may go higher than Allen. He's very good as a run defender. I think the best all round linebacker, outside of Styles, is Jake Golday. My only concern is whether he's a Jack of all trades and not dominant at any of them.

I thought the conversation was about picking Allen in the 1st round, maybe i misunderstood. I agree, Trotter will most likely be a 2nd rounder so its gonna be hard to pick. Thats why im eyeing Carter later, i believe he led the SEC in tackles per game and was on the Feldman freak list. Im very curious about his combine.
And i agree with your overall point that we need someone that can play the run.

As far as linebackers with a more diverse skill set like Golday, i like Barham and Jack Kelly later on.

All in all, i'd like to get my hand on someone like Trotter that can play alongside Spillane and eventually replace him and someone like Louis with a more hybrid skill to defend TE's.

 

[manxman2601]

I thought the conversation was about picking Allen in the 1st round, maybe i misunderstood. I agree, Trotter will most likely be a 2nd rounder so its gonna be hard to pick. Thats why im eyeing Carter later, i believe he led the SEC in tackles per game and was on the Feldman freak list. Im very curious about his combine.
And i agree with your overall point that we need someone that can play the run.

As far as linebackers with a more diverse skill set like Golday, i like Barham and Jack Kelly later on.

All in all, i'd like to get my hand on someone like Trotter that can play alongside Spillane and eventually replace him and someone like Louis with a more hybrid skill to defend TE's.

It was. Bear in mind a lot of my argument for CJ Allen as a first rounder is that I think he's a great Vrabel culture pick although I think his run defense warrants the pick too. And let's face it, a very late first round pick means you're picking someone with a top 50 grade, not a first round one most likely.

I love Kyle Louis as a hybrid player and would be all over picking him on day 3.

 

[manxman2601]

Here's a name to keep an eye on at the Senior Bowl

Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma 6-5, 240lbs

I've just seen James Foster talking about him as a Sonny Styles-lite (he's a former safety). A Senior Bowl invite might suggest his stock is higher than people think. He grades out pretty well, especially his coverage grade:


Run Defense - 76.4
Coverage - 79.2
Missed tackles is less good with 9 on the year.
5 sacks in 2024.

Just keep him in mind throughout the draft process.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think coverage is an overrated skillset for a middle linebacker. Linebackers rarely play man cover and normally just sit in a zone. A linebackers job is to fill gaps, make the tackle. Instincts, taking on blockers and making the tackle are far more important skills for a linebacker than coverage. It's a nice to have, but not necessarily essential.

BTW, I just checked an we do have the 8th highest graded coverage linebacker in the NFL. Marte Mapu is good, but not indispensable - mainly because he doesn't have the three skills I highlighted.

Another example is if Mesidor and CJ are both available to 32. Mesidor because of his older age (a bunch of draft projections have Mesidor in R2) and CJ because of his stats and younger age. Who do the Pats pick? I do not think it is even close who is the BPA between Mesidor and CJ. That is why I struggle to see CJ as R1 or early R2 BPA and an eventual replacement for Spillane (not a priority IMO).

 

[manxman2601]

Here's a name to keep an eye on at the Senior Bowl

Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma 6-5, 240lbs

I've just seen James Foster talking about him as a Sonny Styles-lite (he's a former safety). A Senior Bowl invite might suggest his stock is higher than people think. He grades out pretty well, especially his coverage grade:


Run Defense - 76.4
Coverage - 79.2
Missed tackles is less good with 9 on the year.
5 sacks in 2024.

Just keep him in mind throughout the draft process.

 

[manxman2601]

Another example is if Mesidor and CJ are both available to 32. Mesidor because of his older age (a bunch of draft projections have Mesidor in R2) and CJ because of his stats and younger age. Who do the Pats pick? I do not think it is even close who is the BPA between Mesidor and CJ. That is why I struggle to see CJ as R1 or early R2 BPA and an eventual replacement for Spillane (not a priority IMO).

It depends on how Vrabel and co feel about age and culture fit. Mesidor fits the culture just fine but Vrabel has made it clear he wants on-field leaders and CJ Allen certainly fits that.

As far as a long-term replacement for Spillane not being a priority. Sure, if you're drafting for need in '26 but if you're drafting for BPA in the long-term then I think it is and I've been clear I'm BPA this year. I want the future secure, not just '26.

I'll personally have Freeling and probably Mesidor above Allen - it's closer when you account for Thieneman, TJ Parker and Pregnon. The question will be, does Vrabel think the team culture is fixed or will he continue with that project.

I suppose what I'm saying is that I don't necessarily think Allen will be the pick, just don't be surprised if he is because he ticks a lot of Vrabel boxes. And we'd be getting a very good prospect if he is.

 

[mayoclinic]

I like Golday a lot and I'd be very happy if we drafted him but I don't see him as a MLB 1 to replace Spillane in the long-term like I do Allen. I think he's an Elliss or Tavai replacement.

I don't want to spend a 1st on a Spillane replacement when we already have Spillane.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't want to spend a 1st on a Spillane replacement when we already have Spillane.

"Future" is quite an important word you're missing here. He'd be a Gibbins replacement year one and even two.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I suppose what I'm saying is that I don't necessarily think Allen will be the pick, just don't be surprised if he is because he ticks a lot of Vrabel boxes. And we'd be getting a very good prospect if he is.

 

[bakes781]

I don't want to spend a 1st on a Spillane replacement when we already have Spillane.

Perhaps I'm in the minority but I am not a big Spillane fan. He's better than what we had but as with most of the roster that isn't saying much.

 

[mayoclinic]

I don't want to spend a 1st on a Spillane replacement when we already have Spillane.

Jake Golday day 2 is my hope, but have heard reports a lot of teams have a high 2nd round grade on him.

Arion Carter very intriguing day 3 options.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

Arion Carter very intriguing day 3 options.

Maybe not anymore. Just saw this which needs verification.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Kelly looks like an ILB to me, as opposed to CJ Allen. Kelly is much more substantial, can stack and shed, etc. I would take Kelly over Allen all day long, or at least until I see their scores at the combine.

 

[manxman2601]

Kelly looks like an ILB to me, as opposed to CJ Allen. Kelly is much more substantial, can stack and shed, etc. I would take Kelly over Allen all day long, or at least until I see their scores at the combine.

An ILB with a 22% missed tackle rate. I prefer linebackers who can tackle personally.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

An ILB with a 22% missed tackle rate. I prefer linebackers who can tackle personally.

Details, details

 

[manxman2601]

With the Patriots' first pre-draft contact being a late round/UDFA undersized speedy run and hit linebacker, I'm gong to re-assert that I've been thinking Justin Jefferson of Alabama is the type of linebacker Vrabel would like for a while now. He might start going back on the mocks.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

With the Patriots' first pre-draft contact being a late round/UDFA undersized speedy run and hit linebacker, I'm gong to re-assert that I've been thinking Justin Jefferson of Alabama is the type of linebacker Vrabel would like for a while now. He might start going back on the mocks.

Same height and only 5 lbs lighter than CJ Allen who is mocked in R1.

 

[manxman2601]

Same height and only 5 lbs lighter than CJ Allen who is mocked in R1.

You've really got it in for Allen. Raion Strider of Pitt (who?!?) is the same height and weight as Jermod McCoy. It doesn't make him better value.