Part 3 of the Positional Breakdown of the Patriots heading into the start of Training camp on July 23rd.
Linebackers
Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jahvani Tavai, Jack Gibbens, Monty Rice, Cam Riley, Marte Mapu, Kyle Dugger
Patriots Linebacker Corps Ranked #3 by PFF
In a very surprising ranking, the Patriots Linebacker group was ranked #3 in the league by Pro Football Focus. Only Philadelphia and Los Angelas Rams were ranked ahead of the Pats. As Dalton Wasserman wrote for PFF “New England’s combination of old and new faces gives the team a potentially formidable linebacker unit.
Newcomer Robert Spillane ranks third in the NFL with a 91.2 PFF run-defense grade since the start of 2023. I am guilty of underestimating the skill of Robert Spillane. Because he played on the West Coast I knew nothing about him before the Patriots signed him. The 6’1” 229-pound backer was an Undrafted Free Agent signed by Mile Vrabel in Tennessee. Entering his 8th season in the league, Spillane is the ultimate self-made man. He has put together two tremendous back-to-back seasons with the Raiders. In 2023 he had 1110 snaps played and 140 tackles and a 77.1 grade #27 in the league at his position. He followed that up with 1093 snaps in 2024, with 157 tackles and a 68.4 PFF rating good for #66 amongst linebackers. His overall grade was held down by a poor Coverage grade of 48.8. This is something to watch. Spillane is on the small side for an inside linebacker, but this is the way the Pro Game is going. The days of the big Slammer Jammer inside backer are gone, hence Ja’Whuan Bentley is gone. Bentley hasn’t been signed by any team. He and Spillane both came into the league in 2018.
Christian Elliss earned a solid 72.6 mark in his first expanded opportunity last season. The Raiders made a legitimate run at Elliss in Restricted Free Agency, but the Patriots matched the $2.5 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $6.75 million. In 2025, he will earn a base salary of $3 million and a signing bonus of $2.5 million, with a total salary cap charge of $4.842 million. Over the course of the season Elliss’ play improved and his play time increased with 5 starts in his 15 games. His season concluded with 66 snaps in the Buffalo game. He was also a key performer on Special Teams units.
(PHOTO: Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) makes an interception during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Jahlani Tavai struggled at times last season but posted an outstanding 86.6 PFF overall grade in 2023. Does he fit the Mike Vrabel mold for a linebacker in his defensive system? I think it’s wise to keep Tavai around for his experience and as a backup should anything happen to Spillane. Tavai is a 6-year veteran. The 6’2” 255-pound 28-year-old was a 2nd round selection by Detroit in 2019.
Ex-Titan Jack Gibbens flashed his potential with a 77.9 PFF overall grade over the past two years. “Linebacker-turner-head-coach Mike Vrabel has to like his options at his former position this season” said Wasserman. In 2024, Gibbens was ranked #11 by PFF at Linebacker. Gibbens only played in 8 games due to an ankle injury that required surgery and cost him the remainder of the season. “Dr Gibby” the nickname assigned to him from the fans, had an outstanding 83.2 rating in 2024.
Monty Rice was a draft selection of Mike Vrabel for Tennessee in 2021 Draft. He was selected in the 3rd round #92, a premier draft pick. The former Georgia standout stands just 6’ 233-pounds but possesses 4.57 speed. Look for Vrabel to get the best out of Rice. He has flashed during OTAs and Mini Camp. In article by Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal, he stated that Rice and UDFA Cam Riley “both are young and unheralded, but they were very active and in the middle of many plays”. Rice was the backup ILB to Rashaan Evans in Tennessee. Don’t sleep on Rice making the final roster.
Cam Riley According to NFL Draft Diamonds, “Cam Riley is an athletic rotational linebacker who can constrict run lanes with a good motor. Takes on blocks to free up fellow defenders to make plays at the LOS”. The 6’4” 228-pound linebacker finished his 5-year college career at Florida State after 4 years at Auburn. He played in 50 games with 11 starts over the 4 years. Interesting statement by Greg Bedard (above) on his play this spring. I don’t expect Riley to make the team, but a spot on the Practice Squad is attainable for Riley, especially if he plays well on Special Teams in camp. Vrabel has a knack for developing UDFA linebackers. Could he have found another?
(PHOTO: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Marte Mapu It’s put up or shut up time for Mapu, a surprise 3rd round pick in 2023. He was a Bill Belichick pick. Only those people that follow the draft very closely had ever heard of Mapu. No one had him going in the 3rd round. Mapu had a very good Senior Bowl where he worked out at Linebacker rather than the Strong Safety position he played at Sacramento State. The 2022 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year was a late call up for the game but was recognized as one of the best Linebackers during the week of practice. The Patriots even listed him as a linebacker after the draft. He does not have the coverage skills needed to play Safety. Mapu had a 63.4 rating by PFF with a dismal 49.8 Coverage grade. His overall rank was #88. For the season the 6’3” 230-pound linebacker had 46 tackles. Starting the season on IR, he missed the first 4 games then started 9 of the 10 games he played. There is no official speed numbers on Mapu but I did see an 4.59 40 from NFL Draft Buzz. Mapu was not invited to the draft combine and didn’t have a Pro Day because he was recovering from a pectoral injury.
I have Kyle Dugger listed as a Linebacker. I can see him in the starting lineup at the Big Nickel linebacker spot. Most teams are playing 3 WR sets to start the games. Having someone with the versatility like Dugger in the starting lineup hedges against that kind of a mismatch while having someone on the field with good run stopping ability. Last season was a nightmare for Dugger. It’s well documented that Dugger played hurt all year with a high ankle sprain. It affected him badly as reflected in his poor PFF Rating. His overall Defensive rating was 44.3 and his coverage grade was an awful 34.8. I never want to see Dugger playing Free Safety again. He has terrible instincts and often took the wrong angle in coverage. Rather than just criticize him for playing poorly, I will give him the benefit of the doubt because of the injury. I want to see him at linebacker.
Maye Ceiling / Floor Ranked against the 2nd Year QBs
According to PFF article by John Kosko comparing the Ceiling / Floor of all 2nd year QBs, he had his ceiling for Maye as Trevor Lawrence and his Floor as Daniel Jones. This is a disturbing report. Kosko stated “He notched just 14 big-time throws and 16 turnover-worthy plays, making his rookie season similar to Daniel Jones’ in their PFF grades and efficiency. Maye posted a 64.9 PFF passing grade and Jones logged a 65.1 mark, while Maye averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt and Jones averaged 6.6”. Kosko did state “The Patriots, unfortunately, put one of the worst supporting casts around Maye, so his projections moving forward really shouldn’t change based on his performance in 2024”. I find that statement to be contradictory. Maye didn’t have the time to throw because of the porous Offensive Line. They can’t possibly be as bad as they were last year. Kosko also doesn’t take into consideration the upgrade with Josh McDaniels calling the plays as opposed to Alex Van Pelt. Overall, this year’s Patriots coaching staff is much better than last season. “Maye’s athleticism and big arm give him a high-end ceiling like that of Trevor Lawrence, who I think has better play in his future” according to Kosko. Lawrence is the #16 rated QB for 2025, and Maye is #22. Maye’s running ability is superior to Lawrence, and I expect the ceiling for Maye would be a top 10 QB. If his ceiling is Trevor Lawrence, then Maye’s selection would be a huge disappointment. Both players entered the league as starters in the league at age 22 and both played in the ACC. Maye had two seasons as a starter and Lawrence had three. Both QBs have prototypical size and arm strength. After 4 years, Lawrence hasn’t lived up to his potential, while Maye’s improvement in year two is expected to be better, but is unknown.
2025 NFL Offensive Play-Caller Rankings from PFN
Pro Football Network released a ranking of all 32 Offensive Coordinator / Play Callers in the NFL. This list includes Head Coaches such as Sean McVay and Ben Johnson that will be calling the plays for their respective teams. Unbelievably, Josh McDaniels is ranked 22nd in this rating. His proven play-calling ability makes this low ranking unfair. He is much better than a 22nd rank. Is it the poor state of the Patriots Offensive talent rather than his play calling ability? PFN states “Josh McDaniels returns to New England for his third stint as offensive coordinator. Once again, he’ll be tasked with proving he can build a successful offense without Tom Brady.” There is the rub: can he do it without the GOAT leading the Offense? I believe we will see a better balance between pass and run in the McDaniels Offense. Another aspect will be pre-snap motion and the use of a true Fullback. Drake Maye, entering his second season, is way ahead in his development. I believe we will see Maye making more adjustments at the Line of Scrimmage. Maye is the leader now on Offense and he is mature way beyond his age.
McDaniels developed rookie Mac Jones and he produced numbers that far exceeded Tom Brady’s in his 1st year as a starter. Remember that Brady had a full year of tutelage under Drew Bledsoe, Jones did not. There are issues with Drake Maye that need to be addressed, and McDaniels, along with Quarterback coach Ashton Grant, need to fix these flaws. I also believe that McDaniels will incorporate more planned QB runs with Maye’s running ability.
About Mark Morse
Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.
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