Linebackers: B+
 Jamie Collins is one of the best big play LBs in the game. (USA TODAY Images) |
The Patriots have a pair of fantastic young linebackers in Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower. When both are healthy and in the lineup, they are disruptive, athletic and productive. Collins is an athletic freak who can do it all. He led the NFL with five forced fumbles (FF) in 2015. Sheard and Jones were tied for second in the league with four.
Hightower is a big man (6’3, 270), who moves really well and is an excellent blitzer up the A-gap as well as a fantastic run stuffer. He’s the glue in the middle of the front seven that holds everything together while Collins is the playmaker. Look for both to be re-signed this offseason and here for the long term.
Jerod Mayo returned from two serious injuries and played well down the stretch after a slow start. He and Jonathan Freeny played quite a bit due to injury and were instrumental in keeping some continuity at the position. Jonathan Bostic and Darius Fleming have played mainly STs with just a few snaps on defense. Next up are the corners and safeties
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
