Despite paying Robert Spillane and Christian Ellisslast offseason, inside linebacker could still be a need in 2026. But Spillane is 31, and the team can walk away after next season, eating $3 million in dead cap and saving $10 million in cash. Meanwhile, Elliss is in year two of his two-year extension and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The Pats cut Jahlani Tavai, signed K.J. Britt (for $1.4 million) as a potential replacement, and also have Chad Muma, Otis Reese, and the very hyper-specific Marte Mapu as reserves. Feels kind of thin, no? Unless Mike Vrabeland company believe there's untapped potential in former third-rounder Muma, who turns 27 in August but is already on his third team (Jacksonville, Indianapolis, now NE). He is intriguing. Muma’s testing profile is very similar to Elliss's (Muma first).
40: 4.63 vs Elliss's 4.58
10-yard split: 1.6 vs 1.63
Vertical: 40” vs 35.5”
Broad Jump: 10’9” vs 10’
Three-Cone: 7.06 vs 6.94
20-yard shuttle: 4.28 vs 4.29
225 Bench: 27 reps vs 22 reps
So, maybe there’s a chance? It took Elliis five years to become a semi-regular, and that happened for the 4-13 Patriots. That wouldn’t stop this version of the team from needing reinforcements/potential future starters, but could change how high they draft one.
TIER ONE: Sonny Styles, OSU (6’5”, 244 lbs)
Styles stands all by his lonesome in this category, and while I expect the Jets to take his teammate Arvell Reese(more edge than off-ball LB) at #2 overall, I like Styles more. He was the Buckeyes' best front-seven player this year and balled out in their biggest games. Per Sumer Sports, Styles didn’t miss a tackle this year (and you wonder why I’m in love?). He can also cover, rush the passer and, if you asked him to, walk, chew gum, and rub his belly at the same time. I know, right? Styles testing at the combine - he and Reese went back-and-forth - was eye-popping. He’s just 21, and his real name isn’t Sonny; rather, it’s Alexander, but as a kid, he had a hair-trigger temper, and the family nicknamed him ‘Sonny’ after James Caan’s character in ‘The Godfather,’ Sonny Corleone. Could he be more perfect?
TIER TWO: CJ Allen, Georgia (6’1”, 230 lbs); Anthony Hill (6’2”, 238 lbs), Jake Golday, Cincinnati (6’5”, 239 lbs), Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (6’1”, 231 lbs)
I don’t like Allen as much as some others do. Personally, I think he’s a second-rounder, but because this draft lacks the potential superstar quotient at tackle, quarterback, and cornerback, there are a lot of players in my top 60 that would be 10-15 spots if this were next year’s class. You probably read that sentence and said, ‘Giardi hates him.’ No. Not at all. I think he’s a super smart, green-dot kinda player who deciphers plays quickly. Allen can go sideline to sideline, but also proved to be an effective blitzer. I’d just feel better about getting him at #40 instead of, say, #31.
If I had Allen as an early second, Hill would be right behind him. He certainly has the capabilities to be a three-down linebacker, mixing very good athleticism with the smarts to see what’s coming and react accordingly. Hill has cover ability, though there’s some refinement needed in that regard. He also has a mean streak in there, and who doesn’t want that from a dude you plunk in the middle of your defense?
“When he decided to get downhill, it doesn’t matter what’s in front of him,” one scout told me. “You could put a brick wall there, and he will try to run through it.”
Another added, “Had some problems with missed tackles in ‘24. Cleaned up his technique (got lower) and those problems went away.”
I prefer Rodriguez to Golday. He is one disruptive son-of-a-gun. He did everything for Tech, driving the bus to and from the stadium, selling popcorn, and turning opposing teams over on the regular (one of these three is accurate). In fact, over the course of his career, Rodriguez forced 13 fumbles, including 7 this season. That’s not luck. That’s someone who knows where the ball is and how to get it.
“He ran that defense,” one assistant coach told me. “That’s saying something because that defense was loaded with a bunch of good players and a bunch of Alphas.”
“He didn’t find himself in the wrong place too often,” noted another, “but when he did, has the speed and smarts to recover. Just a ball player.”
Occasionally gets lost in coverage, and because he’s so quick to the ball - and wants to be quick to the ball - can take that false step and find himself in chase position.
Golday is an interesting study. He tested well, and you see that explosiveness in his lower half on tape. Cincinnati used him almost like a massive nickel, playing him in space a ton. I think that was a bit aggressive, but it wasn’t like Golday got lost out there. He can cover. There are plenty of scouts who think his processing has improved. Personally, I thought it was lacking. Or at least inconsistent.
TIER THREE: Kyle Louis, PItt (6’1”, 220 lbs); Josiah Trotter, Missouri (6’2”, 237)
“I think Kyle is someone to pound the table for.”
So sayeth a scout who’s been in the business for 20 years. That’s not in line with how the consensus views Louis, but it was certainly enough for me to put him on the list. Then I peeped his weight. That is not a fit for how the Patriots are playing. He feels a little Mapu-ish. Wonder if his best spot might be as a big nickel? He runs well and, to his credit, plays in traffic without getting steamrolled. But if a bigger guy gets into Louis, he’s not getting off the block.
Trotter’s dad was Jeremiah, the former NFL LB. He, like his pops, is stout at the point of attack and loves playing physically. I’m not saying he has the same skillset as Dont’a Hightower (a first-rounder in his day), but like Hightower, he seems to relish knocking a guard on his ass. Trotter is a good blitzer, and when he strikes you first, it is jolting. Not much of a coverage player, and I think he’s gotta sharpen his play recognition. View him as a run-only player at this point, unless his responsibility is to attack (which is then a tell).
TIER FOUR: Bryce Boettcher, Oregon (6’1”, 232 lbs); Deontae Lawson, Alabama (6’3”, 226 lbs)
Boettcher has already been drafted. The Houston Astros took him in the ‘24 MLB draft. But he wants to play football. Boettcher is in attack mode full-time. That’s awesome when it hits (and when he hits). But he is late to the party a little too often for my liking. Boettcher shone at the Senior Bowl. Had he not, he’s probably not on this list, although he does bring good special teams value.
How do you not include a guy who’s a two-time captain at Alabama? Even if this isn’t Nick Saban’s Tide, that’s impressive. Lawson is athletic, moves well sideline-to-sideline, and is capable of being a good player against the pass. His biggest issue in college is play recognition. Can his eyes/brain match his feet? A team will take that chance.
Others of note: Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State (6’2”, 235 lbs); Jimmy Rolder, Michigan (6’2”, 238); Aiden Fisher, Indiana (6’1”, 232) ; Lander Barton, Utah (6’5”, 233); Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (6’3”, 240)
WE HARDLY KNEW YA...
Joshua Dobbs is a smart guy. Like NASA smart. That’s why he probably knew his days as a Patriot were numbered the moment the team signed third QB Tommy DeVitoto a two-year extension before free agency began.
The Pats released Dobbs on Monday afternoon after attempts to trade him failed. In doing so, the team saves $3.7 million in real cash (were he on the roster) while absorbing a dead cap hit of about $1 million.
Meanwhile, DeVito took a two-year deal for $4.4 million, with incentives that could max it out at $7.4 million. He gets just $2.3 million in real cash in 2026. Who says they don’t look to save a penny wherever they can?
DeVito didn’t appear in a single game for the Pats. Meanwhile, Dobbs was the week-in, week-out backup and got into four contests. I wouldn’t say he had a signature moment, if you will, but he did step in at Tennessee when Drake Maye had to be evaluated for a concussion. Dobbs came out throwing, hitting a key 12-yarder to Pop Douglason a third-and-five with the Pats holding a slim 17-13 lead. Maye returned, led the team to a score, and the rout was on.
DeVito is entering his fourth year in the league. He’s played in 12 games, with 8 career starts.
Dobbs’ release wasn’t the only move the team made. They also signed tackle James Hudson. The 5-year veteran was with the New York Giants last season and did this.
Perhaps the answer at swing tackle. Also, the only player since 2000 to be penalized four times on one possession. https://t.co/18o6B5zNiv pic.twitter.com/HswR1jfSjZ— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 23, 2026
From that fateful drive https://t.co/2EidicOgeB— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 23, 2026
Hudson has plenty of experience, with 60 games played and 19 career starts. He was also in Cleveland the year Mike Vrabel worked for the Browns. Based on experience, you could say Hudson has the inside track on filling the swing tackle role after the Pats lost Vederian Lowe to free agency and, to this point, have not brought Thayer Mumfordback. But he also signed a veteran salary benefit deal, which doesn't assure him of anything other than a chance to compete.
