The Patriots went into the new league year with a handful of obvious needs, addressing most by either re-signing their own free agents, bringing aboard new faces or making trades. Investments were made at cornerback, edge defender, defensive tackle and running back. Even at offensive tackle, where the Patriots lost Nate Solder, the team re-signed one of its own (LaAdrian Waddle) and came to terms with two others (Matt Tobin, Luke Bowanko). If you were looking for the Patriots to add a linebacker, though, you're still waiting. This week, we'll try to pin down some good fits for the second level of Bill Belichick's defense in this year's draft class, starting with the consensus top two picks at the position.
Well, well, well. When the Patriots opted to trade Brandin Cooks to the Rams last week, they all of a sudden found themselves in prime position to play the board. With two first-rounders and two seconds, Belichick and Nick Caserio could put together a package that would land them in the top-10. Or they could hold tight, wait until draft day, and if a player they want begins to slide . . . pounce.
When it comes to the linebacker position, there are a pair of players the Patriots would likely have to pay for with something more than No. 23 overall. Virginia Tech's Tremaine Edmunds and Georgia's Roquan Smith, in two very different ways, represent the future of the position. One looks like he was assembled in a Skynet lab. The other plays a style that is very much en vogue.
Edmunds is a 6-foot-5, 253-pound specimen with almost 35-inch arms. He's built like a defensive end, but he ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash and played off the line for the Hokies. Smith, meanwhile, is a smaller and more instinctive option. At 6-1, 236 and with a 4.51-second 40, he'll arrive to the league as the closest thing to Atlanta's Deion Jones in this class.
The expectation was that both would be gone long before the Patriots made their first pick at No. 31. But now, with the addition of No. 23, the Patriots could potentially jump up to try to get either Edmunds or Smith in the first half of the first round if they wanted. It'd be a hefty price to pay, but the return would make them immediately younger and more athletic in their front-seven.
After some discussion with NFL evaluators who have a close eye on this year's linebacker class, here are some of the strengths and weaknesses for both players and how they might fit in New England . . .
TREMAINE EDMUNDS, VIRGINIA TECH
Tale of the tape: 6-foot-5; 253 pounds; 34.5-inch arms
Calling on the combine: 4.54-second 40; 39.5-inch vertical; 9-foot-9 broad
Strengths: Edmunds is just 19 years old. He'll be 20 by the time the 2018 season begins. He's already considered one of the most physically-gifted prospects in this class, and there's a chance he's still growing. He's scouting catnip. He's a ball of clay ready to be molded. Whatever metaphor you want to use, you get the idea. He was an All-ACC pick last year and a Third-Team All-American after recording over 100 tackles, three forced fumbles and 5.5 sacks. He's big and athletic enough to blitz effectively, and his range in the running game is impressive. With his length, Edmunds could potentially line up off the edge down the road in certain situations and become a moveable chess piece for a creative coaching staff.
Weaknesses: Raw. He improved as last season wore on, but he still has some work to do when it comes to finding the football quickly from the middle of a defense. Edmunds need to be more consistent in his run fits, and he likely isn't going to be able to be relied upon to get teammates aligned early in his pro career. His instinctual deficiencies might force a team to try to use him on the edge. There's plenty of value on the outside, sure, but it's unclear how he'd work out there because he was an off-the-ball 'backer in college. For some teams, there would be a willingness to take a little less speed -- which Edmunds has in spades -- in return for better instincts. Though he's big, Edmunds missing a little "nasty" to his game. His play style is not all that violent, and he uses his athleticism and length to navigate through traffic.
Patriots fit: The Patriots have done their due diligence on Edmunds going back to the summer before last season, traveling to Virginia Tech to see him and his teammates in person. For a team that has traditionally liked its linebackers on the bigger end, Edmunds is the prototype. And he has length and athleticism that is rare -- like, almost non-existent -- for players at his position. (Jamie Collins, for instance, checked in at 6-3, 250 and ran a 4.64 in 2013. Collins tested as a more explosive athlete, but that gives you an idea of what kind of athlete the taller, heavier Edmunds is.) The question is whether or not a player who isn't thought to be incredibly instinctual would be worth a selection near the top of the first round. Both of our football writers at NBC Sports Chicago recently mocked Edmunds to the Bears at No. 8 so that might be where Belichick would have to go to get him. The last time Belichick took a linebacker in the top-10, it was Jerod Mayo (No. 10 overall), who was very athletic and essentially a ready-made field general. Edmunds isn't there quite yet.
ROQUAN SMITH, GEORGIA
Tale of the tape: 6-foot-1, 236 pounds; 32-inch arms
Calling on the combine: 4.51-second 40-yard dash; 33.5-inch vertical (pro day); 9-foot-9 broad (pro day)
Strengths: Fast and quick. Outstanding athleticism at the position. Smith changes direction extremely well and has an innate ability to trigger and react to what he's seeing. In coverage, he's arguably the best at his position. For teams looking for a three-down linebacker who can run with talented pass-catching backs around the league, he's an ideal fit as a "Will" linebacker. If asked to blitz, he can do that too. According to Pro Football Focus, on 54 blitzers, he had eight sacks and 22 total pressures. Produced at a high level against SEC competition each of the last two seasons. Smith is thought to be a solid leader and someone who can contribute immediately.
Weaknesses: Smith's size could be an issue at the next level. He's carried extra weight during the pre-draft process and would probably move better if he weighed in the 220-pound range. At Georgia, he may have benefited from a scheme where the defensive line ate blocks and allowed him the freedom to often run and chase unimpeded. Though he doesn't fear contact, Smith's not a thumper. For teams looking for a linebacker who can handle guards at the next level, there are better fits. He's more likely to avoid a block -- which he can do because of his ability to change direction -- than stack and shed to make a tackle.
Patriots fit: When Belichick briefly took over Georgia's pro day, he put Smith (and teammate Lorenzo Carter) through the ringer. Athletically there isn't much Smith can't do. Size-wise, though, he doesn't fit the typical Patriots profile. (Mayo was 6-2, 230 with a very similar 4.54 40-yard dash at the 2008 combine, but he played at 250. Smith may play in the 220s.) Beyond the measurables, what makes Smith such an intriguing talent are his instincts and his wits -- particularly in the passing game. In today's NFL, when just about every roster seems to feature a talented pass-catching back or a tight end who moves like a receiver, having a linebacker who can cover has oodles of value. That's Smith. Will he be able to stop the run the way the Patriots want him to? If they begin to play more of a 3-4 in 2018, where the linebackers have to defeat guards one-on-one, will he fit? Not exactly. But what he offers in coverage and as a blitzer -- if the Patriots want in on a new-age linebacker like Deion Jones -- Smith would give them a quick upgrade in the middle of their defense. Again, cost will come into play. Is that skill set worth packaging two firsts to get into the top-15? In my opinion, no.