Entering the 2018 offseason, few positions on the New England Patriots’ roster created as many questions as the linebacker spot. Dont’a Hightower was coming off a major injury, while the rest of the group struggled for most of the previous season. However, the Patriots did not invest during free agency (quite the opposite as it also released Shea McClellin) and also waited until the third day of the draft to pick a pair of players at the position.
The rookies only had a limited impact, though. By late September both fifth-round selection Ja’Whaun Bentley — who looked solid before injuring his biceps in week three — and sixth-round pick Christian Sam were on injured reserve with season-ending injuries.