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Patriots positional rankings: outside linebackers

Next up in the PatriotsMaven positional rankings are the outside linebackers.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.- The outside linebackers played a critical role in the success of the Patriots defense last season, a unit that allowed only 20.3 points per game. That points against mark was good enough for 6th best in the NFL. All season long the outside linebacker group played great, and their dominant play in the 13-3 Super Bowl LIII win versus the Los Angeles Rams is still a storied performance. 

The outside linebackers for the Patriots are demanded to be solid in stopping the run, dropping back in pass coverage and blitzing off the edge. Brian Flores served as the linebackers coach last season; however, he has since been hired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. This season, Bill Belichick will have a closer eye on the linebacker group, since he will be calling the defensive plays. Entering the summer, there are seven outside linebackers on the 90-man roster. All of them will be in heated competition all summer long, whether it is for a starting spot or a place on the 53-man roster. Let's take an inside look at the outside linebackers. 

7.) Terez Hall 

Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports 

Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports 

Terez Hall, 22, became a starter at linebacker at Missouri as a junior in 2017. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder finished with 71 total tackles and five sacks as a senior in 2018, including seven solo tackles in Missouri's big win at the Swamp against the 13th ranked Florida Gators. After not hearing his name be called in the 2019 NFL Draft, Hall signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Patriots. 

New England's outside linebacker position is incredibly top-heavy. The top of their linebacker depth chart has some of the league's best talent; however, the backend of the depth chart can always be shaken up. It is always a challenge for an undrafted free agent to land a spot on the 53-man roster, so like many other newcomers, Hall will need to show a lot for himself to have a chance in New England.

6.) Brandon King 

Scott Galvin - USA TODAY Sports 

Scott Galvin - USA TODAY Sports 

Brandon King is entering his 5th NFL season, all with the Patriots. King makes his name known on special teams, where he is many times the first one to fly down the field and make the tackle. King was signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2015 and since then, he has worked extremely hard to consistently be included on the team's 53-man roster. 

As a core special teamer, King plays a vital, yet under-appreciated role for the Patriots. King is the epitome of "Do Your Job" and that will not change during this upcoming season. Keep your eyes open for no. 36 this season, he is fun to watch.  

5.) Shilique Calhoun

Kelley L Cox - USA TODAY Sports 

Kelley L Cox - USA TODAY Sports 

Shilique Calhoun comes to New England after playing for the Oakland Raiders during the first three years of his career. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2016 NFL Draft. During his time with the Raiders, Calhoun was on injured reserve and had also seen time on Oakland's practice squad. 

Calhoun has served primarily as a defensive end up until this point, which could factor into his usage in New England. At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Calhoun can be moved around the defense a little bit. He is definitely an end-of-the-line player who can provide power off the edge. It is tough to predict Calhoun's future with the Patriots, but Bill Belichick will certainly be able to try some different schemes with him to see if anything sticks. 

4.) Christian Sam 

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Christian Sam was drafted in the 6th round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Patriots. After seeing some preseason action last summer, the Arizona State alum was placed on injured reserve, where he remained all year. Coming into the 2019 campaign, Sam could be primed for a larger role and considered a top-4 outside linebacker for the Patriots. 

Coming out of college, Sam was noted as an extremely athletic linebacker who was praised for his ability to drop into pass coverage. Against the Philadelphia Eagles in the teams second preseason game last season, Sam had seven solo tackles and an interception. 

There is a lot of excitement around Sam, and if healthy, it seems as if he could be set up to have a very productive 2019 season. 

3.) Jamie Collins Sr. 

Winslow Townson - USA TODAY Sports 

Winslow Townson - USA TODAY Sports 

Ranking the top three outside linebackers for this team is no easy task, as anyone could make a legitimate argument for how they believe the order should go. All we know is having an outside linebacker core where Jamie Collins could be the third best player at the position is quite a privilege.

Collins returns to Foxborough after spending the last two and a half seasons with the Cleveland Browns. In the middle of the 2016 season, the Patriots surprised almost everyone when they traded Collins to the Browns for a 3rd round pick. It was reported that during that season, Collins demanded "Von Miller money" and after Bill Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff became aware of that, he was sent packing. Roughly three years later, he is back with New England. 

Last season, Collins had a tremendous season in Cleveland, where he finished with 70 solo tackles, the most of his career thus far. Collins is one of the best defensive players in the league and the Patriots defense is sure happy to have him back. Formerly regarded as the "Smash Bros", Collins and Dont'a Hightower use to be one the league's best linebacker combinations. That should be the case once again starting this year.

2.) Kyle Van Noy 

Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports 

Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports 

Kyle Van Noy has made quite a name for himself during his last two seasons with the Patriots. Last season, Van Noy led the team with 92 tackles. In the playoffs, he was even better, as he played an essential role for the Patriots while on their way to the Super Bowl. In the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs, Van Noy played out of his mind as he himself accounted for 25% of all tackles made by New England players.

The 28-year-old seems to have found his groove in the NFL. After struggling in his first few seasons while with the Detroit Lions, Van Noy has made it very clear that he is in his prime and that the Patriots defense can be a force, and a force it should be this upcoming season. Van Noy will have another huge season this year and with the return of  Collins in addition to a hopefully healthy Dont'a Hightower, you are looking at one of the best defenses in the NFL.

1.) Dont'a Hightower 

Matthew Emmons - USA Today Sports 

Matthew Emmons - USA Today Sports 

Dont'a Hightower may not put up the same regular season numbers as some other top defensive guys around the league do, but when the Patriots are in big games, Hightower seems to have a particular knack of making the biggest plays of the game. Staying healthy has been an issue for Hightower the past couple of seasons; however, when he is, there may not be anyone better. He stuffs the run, he has sideline-to-sideline mobility and he is a beast off the edge. When the opposing team reviews their scouting report on New England's defense, they start by looking at how they can neutralize Hightower. 

Hightower's Super Bowl LIII performance against the Rams was nothing short of Hall-of-Fame-worthy and spectacular. Hightower's two sacks and three quarterback hits on Rams QB Jared Goff was the perhaps the biggest takeaway from that game. Hightower was flying around all game and deserved every bit of credit he received in holding that electric Los Angeles offense to only three points on the sports' biggest stage.

Hightower has been a Patriot for his entire NFL career and there is still no one better that could lead the team's defense every week. Last season, Hightower and Van Noy were both incredible, and you have to figure that Hightower plays a big part in helping the other linebackers elevate their game. The New England defense should be very strong during the 2019 season and Hightower will be there leading the charge.