{"id":65860,"date":"2026-02-27T09:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=65860"},"modified":"2026-02-27T09:38:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:38:51","slug":"morse-nfl-draft-combine-defensive-lineman-and-linebackers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/02\/27\/morse-nfl-draft-combine-defensive-lineman-and-linebackers\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: NFL Draft Combine – Defensive Lineman and Linebackers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some quick Patriots news and notes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. On Tuesday, Eliot Wolf, the Patriots’ Executive Vice President for Personnel, spoke to the media during a 30-minute press conference<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 For the most part, it was really a question-and-answer session.\u00a0 As expected, he wouldn\u2019t reveal any names of prospects or Free Agents they are interested in.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t even say which prospects they have interviewed.\u00a0\u00a0 However, he did state that the Patriots were not interested in Green Bay Free Agent OT Rasheed Walker: “I saw that report, and it’s not true.”\u00a0 Quite frankly, they can\u2019t afford him anyway.<\/li>\n
  2. Two points stood out to me.\u00a0 He mentioned the work that Richard Miller, the Director of Research, is doing on Mock Drafts.\u00a0\u00a0 This \u201ccomprehensive Mock Draft analysis\u201d tries to anticipate the value of players to other teams and help set the teams’ draft board.\u00a0 The second point was about running backs.\u00a0 Wolf stated that he likes backs who run hard with force and can run through defenders.\u00a0 \u201cBy attacking the hole, they put pressure on the Defense.\u201d \u00a0Did he just give away one of the players they are interested in?\u00a0 The one runningback that fits that profile is Mike Washington of Arkansas.\u00a0 He is a 6\u20192\u201d 228-pound back that runs a 4.45e 40.\u00a0 He ran for over 1,000 yards and a 6.2 YPC in the SEC.\u00a0 He does have some ball security issues with 10 fumbles in his college career.<\/li>\n
  3. Eliot Wolf on the positional future of Jared Wilson: \u201cThere’s openness to everything with him. He had never played guard before. He had good moments and bad moments, but he certainly has the physical ability to play there, and he’s also got the intelligence and the vocal ability to play center. So, I think those are conversations that we’re still having.\u201d\u00a0 Although Wilson came to Georgia as a Guard and practiced there for three years, he only started for one year, and that was at Center.\u00a0 I think Wilson\u2019s issues are more about the lack of games started rather than his ability.\u00a0 He just doesn\u2019t have a lot of experience.<\/li>\n
  4. During a sit-down with the local Patriots beat writers who are covering the Combine, he stated that the Patriots are expecting both Harold Landry and Morgan Moses back next season.\u00a0 That should clear up any rumors about Landry being cut.\u00a0 Cutting Landry doesn\u2019t make any sense since the team will incur a $19.5M dead money cap hit.\u00a0 Another tidbit was the Patriots’ interest in adding an off-ball linebacker.<\/li>\n
  5. Evan Lazar added on X, \u201cEliot Wolf points to pass rush ability, speed and violence, first-step explosiveness, and having multiple pass rush moves as traits the Patriots look for in edge rushers.\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. Wolf on Stefon Diggs: \u201cThere are certain conversations that we\u2019re having.”\u00a0 What does that mean?\u00a0 It\u2019s likely whether or not to keep him at his present salary.\u00a0 In 2026, he has a $26.5M Cap Hit and only $8M Dead Cap Hit.\u00a0 That would be a savings of $18.5M.\u00a0 Are they discussing a restructuring of the contract?\u00a0 Perhaps eliminating incentives and turning them into a signing bonus?\u00a0 If the Patriots were to trade for AJ Brown, I can\u2019t see the team carrying two Alpha contracts ($20M+) at WR.\u00a0 There is a mid-March date that kicks in new guarantees for Diggs.<\/li>\n
  7. Another curious thing Wolf said was, \u201cSafety Jaylinn Hawkins has earned the opportunity to test the market, but adds the Patriots would welcome him back.\u201d\u00a0 Sounds like Hawkins will test the market and bring back what he has been offered by other teams to see if the Patriots will match.\u00a0 He has expressed interest in coming back.\u00a0 As stated in my previous article<\/strong><\/a>, anything north of $9M a year is too much for Hawkins.<\/li>\n
  8. Wolf also noted that he “didn\u2019t see the same level of lower body strength” in LT Will Campbell after the rookie\u2019s knee injury. He added that he liked how Campbell played prior.\u00a0 Hey Captain Obvious \u2013 David Andrew\u2019s had been stating for weeks since Campbell had come off IR that he couldn\u2019t push off his right leg.\u00a0 Andrews stated that he didn\u2019t have any inside info on this but that it was just his observation.\u00a0 After the Super Bowl, Campbell admitted that he was still hurt.\u00a0 Campbell has opted not to have surgery and will likely spend time strengthening his legs instead.\u00a0 This should be monitored all off-season.<\/li>\n
  9. What would you think of a trade involving Christian Barmore?\u00a0 The Patriots will be watching his \u201cassault and battery on a household\/family member\u201d case closely. His arraignment was postponed until March 9th<\/sup> to allow him to play in the Super Bowl.\u00a0 His case will be much more difficult to defend because there are pictures of the abuse.\u00a0 \u00a0There are rumors of interest in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for EDGE Maxx Crosby.\u00a0 A draft pick and Barmore would be hard for the Raiders to refuse.\u00a0 The Patriots have some depth at DT with the emergence of Corey Durden and 2nd<\/sup> year draft pick Joshua Farmer.\u00a0 They also have Leonard Taylor, Jaquelin Roy, Jeremiah Pharms, and Eric Gregory at DT.\u00a0 Khyiris Tonga is a Free Agent, but I hope they bring him back.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget about the outstanding season from Milton Williams.<\/li>\n
  10. Karen Guregian posted this on X: \u201cLas Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek voiced confidence that Maxx Crosby will remain a Raider.\u201d\u00a0 The Raiders want something north of what Green Bay gave Dallas for Micah Parsons.\u00a0 It\u2019s nice to want – they will be lucky to get a 1st<\/sup> round pick and a starting player because of his age and salary.<\/li>\n
  11. Eliot Wolf praised Director of Scouting Administration Secretary Nancy Meier for the outstanding Logistics of getting everyone to Indianapolis.\u00a0 She booked them a day and a half earlier than what was scheduled to beat the blizzard and flew them into Detroit.\u00a0 They had to drive from Detroit to Indy.\u00a0 TF Green airport reported its highest one-day snowfall at 37.5\u201d.\u00a0 Meier, at the age of 70, will be retiring in May after 52 years with the Patriots.<\/li>\n
  12. On Patriots Free Agents, Wolf said, \u201cI’m not going to get into any specific players today. You know, there are certain conversations that we’re having, and we’ll see what happens with everything.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    \"Malachi<\/p>\n

    (PHOTO: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Combine Day 1 Report<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Measurements <\/strong><\/h4>\n

    The following measurements are the Official Combine Measurements, as provided by Sporting News.<\/p>\n

    Edge Rushers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Player<\/strong><\/td>\nHeight<\/strong><\/td>\nWeight<\/strong><\/td>\nHand<\/strong><\/td>\nArm<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Rueben Bain Jr.<\/td>\n6′ 2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n263 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n30 7\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    David Bailey<\/td>\n6\u20194\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n251 lbs<\/td>\n10 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 3\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Keldric Faulk<\/td>\n6\u2019 6\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n276 lbs<\/td>\n9 7\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n34 3\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    T.J. Parker<\/td>\n6\u2019 4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n263 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 1\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cashius Howell<\/td>\n6\u2019 2 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n253 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n30 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    R Mason Thomas<\/td>\n6\u2019 2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n241 lbs<\/td>\n8 7\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n31 5\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Romello Height<\/td>\n6\u2019 3\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n239 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n32 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Akheem Mesidor<\/td>\n6\u2019 3\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n259 lbs<\/td>\n10\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n32 1\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    LT Overton<\/td>\n6\u2019 3\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n274 lbs<\/td>\n10 5\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Malachi Lawrence<\/td>\n6\u2019 4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n253 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 5\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Zion Young<\/td>\n6\u2019 6\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n262 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Anthony Lucas<\/td>\n6\u2019 5 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n256 lbs<\/td>\n10 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Joshua Josephs<\/td>\n6\u2019 3\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n242 lbs<\/td>\n10\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n34 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Derrick Moore<\/td>\n6\u2019 4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n255 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 3\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Jaishawn Barham<\/td>\n6\u2019 3 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n240 lbs<\/td>\n10 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n32 3\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Dani Dennis-Sutton<\/td>\n6\u2019 6\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n256 lbs<\/td>\n10 1\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tyreak Sapp<\/td>\n6\u2019 2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n273 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n32\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Rueben Bain, Cashius Howell, and R. Mason Thomas have short arms.<\/p>\n

    The following list shows the top 10 pass rushers in the NFL last season and their arm lengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Rank<\/td>\nPlayer<\/td>\nArm Length<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    1<\/td>\nMyle Garrett<\/td>\n3501<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2<\/td>\nBrian Burns<\/td>\n3307<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    3<\/td>\nDanielle Hunter<\/td>\n3401<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    4<\/td>\nAidan Hutchinson<\/td>\n3201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    5<\/td>\nNik Bonitto<\/td>\n3201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    6<\/td>\nTuli Tuipulotu<\/td>\n3201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    7<\/td>\nMicah Parsons<\/td>\n3204<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    8<\/td>\nJosh Sweat<\/td>\n3405<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    9<\/td>\nWill Anderson<\/td>\n3307<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10<\/td>\nByron Young<\/td>\n3201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    <\/td>\nRueben Bain<\/td>\n3007<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    <\/td>\nCashius Howell<\/td>\n3001<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    If teams like Bain and Howell, I don\u2019t think the short arms will change their minds.\u00a0 Most Offensive Tackles in the NFL have 34\u201d arms (except Will Campbell) and can lock out these edge rushers.\u00a0 They are going to have to run blistering 40-yard dash times in order to get picked in the 1st<\/sup> round.<\/p>\n

    It was reported that the Patriots have interviewed both Cashius Howell and Zion Young at the Combine<\/p>\n

    Defensive tackles<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Player<\/strong><\/td>\nHeight<\/strong><\/td>\nWeight<\/strong><\/td>\nHand<\/strong><\/td>\nArm<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Peter Woods<\/td>\n6\u2019 2 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n298 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n31 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Kayden McDonald<\/td>\n6\u2019 2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n326 lbs<\/td>\n9 3\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n32 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Caleb Banks<\/td>\n6\u2019 6\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n327 lbs<\/td>\n10 7\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n35\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Christen Miller<\/td>\n6\u2019 4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n321 lbs<\/td>\n10\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Lee Hunter<\/td>\n6\u2019 3 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n318 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Dontay Corleone<\/td>\n6\u2019 0 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n340 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n31 7\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Domonique Orange<\/td>\n6\u2019 2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n322 lbs<\/td>\n10 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n33 3\/8\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Darrell Jackson Jr.<\/td>\n6\u2019 5 1\/2\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n315 lbs<\/td>\n11\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n34 3\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Skylar Gil-Howard<\/td>\n6\u2019 1\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n280 lbs<\/td>\n9 1\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n30 3\/4\u2019\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Day One Winners and Losers<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    In the Linebacker Group, Ohio State Linebacker Sonny Styles put on a show.\u00a0 He had a 4.46 40-yard dash and 43.5 Vertical Leap, both of which were tops in the LB group.\u00a0 The Patriots have no chance at grabbing him unless they were to make a crazy trade.\u00a0 Two other unheralded linebackers also showed up. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU, had a 4.47 40 and 40\u201d Vertical.\u00a0 Both were the 2nd<\/sup> best of the day for the LB group.\u00a0 He also had a 10\u20194\u201d Broad Jump, which was 4th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Anthony Hill, Texas also shows out with 4.51 40 (3rd<\/sup>) a 37\u201d Vertical and 10\u20195\u201d Broad Jump.<\/p>\n

    I was really impressed with the Defensive Tackle group.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t spent any time looking at the DT position since that is a position of strength for the Patriots.\u00a0 However, with the numbers these players put up, the Patriots just might have to take a player from this group.\u00a0 Caleb Banks is a top 10 pick and not in the Patriots’ sights.\u00a0 His outstanding workout earned him a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.87 out of 10.\u00a0 Gracen Halton, Oklahoma, had a very good performance with a 9.70 RAS.\u00a0 The player that impressed me the most was Zane Durant from Penn State.\u00a0 His measurements were 6\u20191\u201d, 319-pounds, 9 5\/8\u201d <\/sup>Hand Size, 32 5\/8\u201d <\/sup>Arm Length.\u00a0 He ran an Official 4.75 40-yard-Dash but was just as impressive in the on-field drills.\u00a0 Demonte Capehart from Clemson also performed well.\u00a0 He is a bit of an enigma, as his play on the field doesn\u2019t reflect the athleticism he showed at the combine.\u00a0 Six Defensive Tackles ran under 4.9 40 times.\u00a0 Those times are outrageous.<\/p>\n

    Thirteen EDGE players did not run the 40-yard dash, deferring to their Pro Days.\u00a0 The one player that I was most interested in seeing running was Zion Young from Missouri.\u00a0 He is a player who is a possibility for the Patriots at #31.\u00a0 Another player who didn\u2019t work out was Akheem Mesidor from Miami.\u00a0 The player who made the biggest impression was Malachi Lawrence from UCF.\u00a0 He ran a blistering 4.52 Official 40-yard dash time.\u00a0 Only Arvell Reece and David Bailey had a better 40 time, and they will both be Top 10 selections.\u00a0 Lawrence has excellent size to go with that speed.<\/p>\n

    Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State was one of only two players to perform the 3-cone drill.\u00a0 He ran it at 6.90.\u00a0 The key to this stat is that the top pass rushers all run under 7.00!\u00a0 He also ran a very good 4.63 40-yard-dash, and a 39.5 Vertical Leap.\u00a0 His Broad Jump of 10\u201911\u201d was tops among EDGE players.<\/p>\n

    Losers<\/strong><\/p>\n

    As I mentioned earlier, Cashius Howell and Rueben Bain have short arms.\u00a0 That was the biggest news.\u00a0 As the graphic above shows, premier pass rushers don\u2019t have short arms.\u00a0 I think Howell might drop to the 2nd<\/sup> round, but I don\u2019t think it will drop Bain very much.\u00a0 A relative unknown player, Jaishawn Barham, an EDGE from Maryland, ran a 4.64 40, but on his second run, he pulled up with a Hamstring pull.\u00a0 \u00a0He still had a 4.66.\u00a0 DT Brandon Cleveland also pulled up lame on his second 40-yard-dash.<\/p>\n

    McAdoo will Not Return in 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ben McAdoo, who spent last season as a senior defensive assistant, will leave the team after two seasons. NFL reporter Joseph Pasteris was first to\u00a0report\u00a0the news.\u00a0 The former Head Coach of the New York Giants and Offensive Coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, he was asked to perform Defensive Analysis for the team.\u00a0 McAdoo was one of three holdovers from the Jerod Mayo staff.\u00a0 It appears his duties will be absorbed by Terrell Williams in his new role as Defensive Executive Assistant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Patriots Eliot Wolf discusses draft strategy, free agency, & trade rumors. 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