Patriots Free Agency Outlook, Linebackers
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Rolando McClain
McClain is an athletic 6’4, 255-pound “Mike” or Middle Linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. He has terrific size and while he’s isn’t speedy, he’s very good in coverage, being able to drop into the short to intermediate zones, can play man coverage against tight ends and because of his length does a good job of protecting the seams.
For a big guy however, stopping the run isn’t his strong suit. He misses too many makeable tackles and at times looks like he gives up on some plays. He’s had concussion issues as well, which may figure into that.
Dallas has given him back-to-back one-year deals and it seems that they are ready to move on from him. Would he fit in New England? Absolutely, you’d be looking at guy who played around 650 defensive snaps in 2015 despite missing four games and would be a good addition to the sub-package defense.
Last season the Patriots had him in for a free agent visit and offered him basically the same $4 million deal he ultimately took to stay in Dallas. Which brings us to his baggage and with it comes his signing with a risk factor.
He missed the first four games of 2015 for a drug related suspension by the league, if he were to falter again, he’d be looking at a much longer suspension the next time. So would the Patriots feel comfortable with locking him up with a long-term deal? That’s probably what McClain is looking for in 2016. If they feel that behavior is behind him, then they could pull the trigger.
They did go after him last year and were spurned, will they go back to the well one more time? Next up, this guy would be a perfect fit, but may be too pricey…
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