Back to the New England Patriots Newsfeed

Key question for New England Patriots: Why aren't young LBs emerging?

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When a team's season ends with a dud like the New England Patriots experienced in the playoffs, the focus shifts quickly to potential fixes. Who might be available in free agency? What prospects could fit best in the draft?

It's an every-year cycle that can spark excitement and hope.

But a different area that is often overlooked in media coverage -- and is critical for coach Bill Belichick and his staff to drill deeper on this offseason -- is development of recent Day 2 draft picks already on a team's roster.