Patriots by Position: Linebackers

FOXBORO — The Returners

Jonathan Freeny – 6th season, Rutgers

Dont'a Hightower – 6th season, Alabama PUP

Shea McClellin – 6th season, Boise State

Kyle Van Noy – 4th season, Brigham Young

Elandon Roberts – 2nd season, Houston

Trevor Bates – 1st season*, Maine


The New Guys

David Harris – 11th season, Michigan (New York Jets)


The Rookies

Brooks Ellis – Arkansas

Harvey Langi – Brigham Young


The Skinny: Despite testing the market and meeting with a trio of AFC teams, Don't'a Hightower returned to the Patriots on a four-year deal. His signing was arguably the most important for New England, as linebacker is not a position where New England enjoys much depth. Hightower has been placed on PUP in training camp, putting that lack of depth to the test.

Seeing that weakness in his defense, Belichick went out and signed former New York Jet David Harris to solidify the Patriots linebacking corps. Harris has been on the field consistently in his 10-year career, playing 16 games in all but two seasons.


The Top Talk: David Harris on his first impressions of New England:

"Just coming here, everything is about football, and I wouldn't want to have it any other way. It's a high standard here and the players really appreciate that. My love for the game has never wavered, I just had to find the team and the team was the Patriots."     

David Souza is an intern in the Boston 25 Sports department. Follow David on Twitter: @DSouza4717

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