Minimal Experience at MIKE, but That's Alright in New England

Ja'Whaun Bentley is in line to anchor the heart of New England's defense. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts are gone, and Dont'a Hightower won't be playing this season. That means all of the go-to options from the past few years are elsewhere. There isn't much left, but the Patriots should be able to patch something together.

Veterans

Ja'Whaun Bentley has by far the most playing experience in New England's system, which isn't saying a lot. He's made 58 tackles in 19 games, mostly as a backup. But he has started four games, and opened 2018 as the starting MIKE – with Hightower playing outside.

The Patriots added a player with a fair amount of experience in Brandon Copeland from the Jets. He's accrued nearly twice as many tackles as Bentley over four seasons, and set career-highs in sacks (five) and quarterback hits (14) in 2018. He's more of a WILL than a MIKE, but he'd project as the co-inside backer in a 3-4 alignment.

Terez Hall essentially qualifies as a rookie, but he was a practice squad player in New England for the entire 2019 season. He's only 230 pounds, and that likely limits him to special teams duties, at best.

Rookies

Second-rounder Josh Uche (Michigan) is the Patriots' prized possession in the interior, although he's versatile enough to slide to EDGE when the situation calls for it. He was teammates with Winovich in college, and his 18.5 sacks in 21 games provides unique pass-rush upside up the middle.

Cassh Maluia (sixth round from Wyoming) seems like the new Elandon Roberts, measuring 5-foot-11 and 240 pounds. He's the type of small-school player who jumps out in film that Bill Belichick loves.

De'Jon "Scoota" Harris went undrafted out of Arkansas. He brings back memories of Scooby Wright. Like Scooby, Scoota is likely getting cut.