2009 Draft Preview: Outside Linebackers

Overview

Ever since the Patriots traded away outside linebacker Mike Vrabel in the Matt Cassel trade in February, outside linebacker has been a need for the Patriots.  While Adalius Thomas will hold down one side, the other side is up for grabs.  Currently, Pierre Woods would be the front runner to start across from Thomas, but Tully Banta-Cain, Shawn Crable, and Vince Redd will make their cases too.  The Patriots could choose to address the position through the draft, Connor Barwin and Larry English are a couple of names that come to mind.  They could also bring in a vet like Jason Taylor, although I’d be pretty surprised if the Patriots ended day one without an outside linebacker.

Current Grade: B-

Need: High

Current Roster

Adalius Thomas

Shawn Crable

Pierre Woods

Angelo Craig

Tully Banta-Cain

Vince Redd

Patriots Draft Prospects

Clay Matthews, USC

Larry English, Northern Illinois

Connor Barwin, Cincinatti

Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond

Cody Brown, Connecticut

Henry Melton, Texas

Everett Brown, Florida State

Robert Ayers, Tennessee

Sherman Logan, Richmond