5 breakout stars to watch for New England Patriots in 2020

CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Ja’Whaun Bentley #51 of the New England Patriots tackles C.J. Uzomah #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half in the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

4. LB Ja’Whaun Bentley

The New England Patriots’ linebacking corps took a pair of big-time hits this offseason with the free-agent departures of Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy.

It’s interesting to note that both veterans joined former Pats’ coaches in Matt Patricia (Lions) and Brian Flores (Dolphins). Collins led the team with 80 tackles and seven sacks. He also picked off three passes (returning 1 of those interceptions 69 yards for a touchdown in a Week 2 win at Miami), forced three fumbles and notched a fumble recovery. Van Noy finished with 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks and also forced three fumbles.

That’s a lot of production to make up for. Fortunately, Dont’a Hightower remains with the club. But reserve linebacker Elandon Roberts also left via free agency and will join Flores and Van Noy in South Florida.

Ja’Whaun Bentley enters his third NFL season and comes off a year in which he played in all 16 games but made only two starts. There were 39 stops on defense and another five on special teams. It was a nice bounce back year after he was limited to only three contests as a rookie.

The 2018 fifth-round pick from Purdue University will see his playing time increase in a big way as Bill Belichick looks to revamp his linebacking corps.

Next: No. 3