In past New England Super Bowl runs, a strong aspect of their team has been the inside linebacking core. Last year, their inside linebacking core looked old and confused. There were multiple games where Hightower would over run plays and miss tackles; their once dominate force in the middle had clearly lost a step. Now, the Patriots linebacking core consists of unproven young guns and vets that haven’t been the most productive over their careers. Here are three post draft moves that New England can make to improve their inside linebacker group.
Sign Joe Schobert
The Patriots didn’t make any moves during the draft to improve their linebacker issue, so now free agency is their best option. One guy that really sticks out to me that’s still on the market is Joe Schobert. Schobert has spent the past two seasons with Jacksonville and Pittsburgh are spending his first four years in the NFL with Cleveland. Last season, Schobert had a quiet, yet dominant season; he made 112 tackles, broke up 6 passes, and picked off a pass.
The 6’1 linebacker is a sneaky good athlete that’d fit in great in the Patriots front seven. While it doesn’t pertain to football, checkout this video of Schobert throwing down a one handed dunk.
Schobert is one of the leagues most consistent linebackers. Since 2017, his second year in the NFL, Schoberts had over 100 tackles a season. His best season came in 2017 when he made 144 tackles and was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. At this point of the offseason, New England could sign Schobert to a cheaper one year deal and have an immediate starter in the middle.
Trade For Leighton Vander Esch
While Dallas did resign Vander Esch this offseason to a 1 year, 2 million dollar deal, he was on the trade block for the majority of the 2021 season. Dallas resigned him out of necessity, but they’d part ways with him if they received the right offer. Unlike Schobert, Vander Esch has been on a steady decline since entering the NFL. In 2018 when the Boise State alum was a rookie, he was named Second Team All Pro after making 140 tackles. Since then though, he hasn’t had a season over 100 tackles; 72 in 2019, 60 in 2020, and 77 in 2021.
Vander Esch is a physically imposing player that has a Thad Castle esque build with a neck roll that’d be fun to see on the Patriots roster. At 6’4 with a 34 inch arms, he does a great job keeping lineman off of him and shedding blocks. He also has above average coverage skills; in 4 seasons he’s tallied 12 pass breakups and 3 interceptions.
If New England gave up a 4th round pick or a 5th and 7th round pick to Dallas then I think Jerry Jones and company would deal Vander Esch to the Patriots. His contract won’t be a substantial hit to the Patriots salary cap and he could fill in as inside linebacker number one from the jump.
Sign Anthony Hitchens
Option number three is to look back into the free agent pool. While there aren’t a ton of viable options remaining, Anthony Hitchens could be a good LB2 next to Mack Wilson. Last season in Kansas City, he flew under the radar making 80 tackles and intercepting 1 pass. Hitchens is a seasoned player that’s recorded over 75 tackles in 7 of his 8 seasons.
New England could go out and sign the Iowa alum on a 1 year, veteran minimum; this’d allow them to see how he fits into the scheme during training camp. This isn’t the best option, but it could pan out to a solid signing that makes contributions on the defensive side of the ball.
