New England Patriots: 5 Landing Spots for Dont’a Hightower
By Hunter Davis
With Dont’a Hightower heading into free agency as a top 25 free agent, the New England Patriots may be looking to shell out huge money for the free agent linebacker. However, if they do not, he will sign elsewhere. Here are a list of 5 teams who may be looking to have Hightower’s services come 2017.
Dont’a Hightower just finished being the unheralded Super Bowl hero for the second time in three years. With 8:33 left in the 4th quarter, down by 16, Hightower forced a crucial strip sack of Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan. The play set up a New England Patriots touchdown, and a later two-point conversion.
The play ended up being a big part of why New England won the game. Flashback to two years ago in Super Bowl 49 when Seattle was at the New England five-yard line. On the verge of running in the game winning touchdown, Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch was dragged down by…you guessed it, Dont’a Hightower.
Sure, from what you just heard, you may think that Dont’a Hightower only appears when a Super Bowl is played. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong.
Hightower showed this past season that he possesses a Willie McGinnest-type of leadership on defense. As a first-time defensive captain, Hightower had to deal with arguably the defenses best player being shipped to Cleveland. He excelled with his first season as the unquestionable leader, and is looking for a big pay-day.
With that we explore the five landing spots for Dont’a Hightower.