3. Dont’a Hightower takes a Lambeau Leap
The New England Patriots don’t want to lose Hightower, who is a tremendous run defender and blitzing linebacker on passing downs. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported recently the Pats might be willing to hit him with the transition tag in an attempt to keep him in 2017. However, that would only allow the Patriots to match any offer he receives on the market, which is why it’s a cheaper option than the franchise tag.
One team that desperately needs an answer at middle linebacker, even if only for the short term while they continue to search for a long-term answer in the draft, is the Green Bay Packers.
You know things are bad on this front when outside linebacker and pass-rushing specialist Clay Matthews has been the team’s best option the past couple of seasons. Matthews thrives on the outside, but he’s been forced to move inside far too often.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson said he’ll be aggressive during free agency this year. It’s something we’ve heard from him before, but he hasn’t followed through on the promise. A good start to keeping his promise this time around would be to land Hightower to anchor the inside linebacker position for Green Bay, thus keeping Matthews on the edge where he belongs.