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Patriots Sign Very Promising UDFA LB To Address Team's Biggest Need
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- Patriots Sign Very Promising UDFA LB To Address Team's Biggest Need
Patriots Sign Very Promising UDFA LB To Address Team's Biggest Need originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The New England Patriots entered last month's NFL Draft with one glaring need: linebacker.
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It took six rounds, but on day three of the draft, the Patriots finally addressed the position by selecting TCU hybrid backer Namdi Obiazor.
Obiazor is a prototypical nickel-type linebacker. At six-foot-two, 229 pounds, Obiazor tallied 302 tackles as a three-year starter in the Horned Frogs' defensive backfield. He will be a day one contributor for the Patriots' special teams unit and will earn snaps on defense by the end of the year.
However, that did not solve all of New England 's problems in the position room. Linebacker depth took a major hit this offseason with Jack Gibbens signing with the Arizona Cardinals . Additionally, Anfernee Jennings and Marte Mapu each signed new contracts elsewhere, and Jahlani Tavai was released.
It is far and away the biggest weakness on the depth chart, but the Patriots might have just found another piece of the solution in Missouri linebacker Khalil Jacobs.
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Ethan Hurwitz of SI broke news of the signing on Friday morning.
Jacobs led the Missouri Tigers' defense as a captain in 2025. He recorded 47 tackles and three sacks for the 25th-ranked team in the nation.
As an undrafted free agent, Jacobs is a long shot to make the final 53-man roster, but I believe in the SEC backer. He will be a buzzy name as preseason team activities ramp up.
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