Patriots Urged to Poach Eagles DPOY Finalist

The New England Patriots are being urged to target this breakout Philadelphia Eagles star to fill a major need.
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) before kick off against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) before kick off against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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The New England Patriots clearly need a major overhaul offensively, but they also need to add some pieces on the defensive side of the ball.

The Patriots have problem areas all over the place, but one position that really sticks out is linebacker, especially after Ja'Whaun Bentley went down with a season-ending injury this past season and could represent a potential cut candidate.

New England is implementing a new scheme with new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, so it will need to acquire players who fit that mold.

Brian Hines of Pats Pulpit has some concerns about linebacker Jahlani Tavani, as he feels that Tavani's struggles in coverage will present issues.

In turn, Hines thinks that the Pats should target Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun in free agency.

"[Mike] Vrabel’s defenses have also featured plenty of four-down attacking fronts, which calls for the second-level linebackers to play in space," Hines wrote. "That is not a strength of Jahlani Tavai’s game at the spot, while Ja’Whaun Bentley has improved in coverage but is still a bigger body. Adding a linebacker who is more comfortable in space (hello, Zack Baun) could be on the wishlist this offseason."

Baun broke out with the Eagles this season, racking up 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, five forced fumbes and a fumble recovery en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

The 28-year-old spent the first four years of his career with the New Orleans Saints in a limited role before signing a one-year deal with Philadelphia last offseason.

It paid massive dividends for the Eagles, who will now be faced with the task of re-signing him in March.

Given that the Patriots have a substantial amount of cap space, they may have the edge here.

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Matthew Schmidt
MATTHEW SCHMIDT

Matthew Schmidt is a sportswriter who covers NFL, MLB, NBA and college football and basketball. He has been writing professionally since 2011 and has also worked for Bleacher Report, FanRag Sports, ClutchPoints, NFLAnalysis.net and NBAAnalysis.net. He was born and raised in New Jersey and has a rather eclectic group of favorite teams: the Boston Celtics, New York Giants and Miami Marlins.