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2016 NFL Draft: Scooby Wright should be top target for Patriots

By Connor Fulton

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) stands on the field during the second quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos won 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) stands on the field during the second quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos won 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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You won’t find a bigger Scooby Wright III fan than this writer. The New England Patriots need to address linebacker depth in the 2016 NFL Draft, and Wright is their man. He should be their top linebacker target and a serious consideration for a second or third round selection.

I’ve written about Wright before, but what made me revisit the fiery Arizona product was an article he wrote for The Players’ Tribune earlier this month. Essentially a cover letter, Wright’s piece implores NFL fans that they should want nothing else than their team to pick him in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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In the article, Wright address his less-than-impressive performance at the combine.

"Look, I’m a football player, plain and simple. Put me in sweats and ask me to run in circles around cones, and I’ll do an okay job. But put me in pads and ask me to lead your defense, and there’s a lot of evidence that I can help you win."

From a Patriots perspective, Wright is a good fit because he is willing to do anything to help his team win. As evidenced by this quote from the piece, Wright doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty on special teams, where the Patriots would likely use him initially:

"But between the lines, I will be your workhorse. If you want me to be an inside linebacker, I will do it. If you want me to be an outside linebacker, I will do it. If you want me to crush people on special teams, I’ll do it with a smile on my face."

Although they addressed linebacker depth this offseason by acquiring Shea McClellin and Ramon Humber, the Patriots still need to plan ahead for what could be devastating 2017 free agency period. Both Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins will be looking for big money and could find more outside of New England; drafting and grooming Wright in 2016 is a good insurance policy.

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Plus, Hightower and Collins are pretty injury-prone, so Wright would join McClellin as solid backup and options in the event the injury bug hits the starting linebackers.

Next: Revisiting and grading Patriots’ 2015 NFL Draft picks

Wright should be on the board in the third round, where the Patriots have a pair of selections.

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