New England Patriots snap counts analysis entering Week 2

Week 1 Patriots snap counts: Linebackers

Jamie Collins – 61 snaps (100 percent)

Dont’a Hightower – 58 snaps (95 percent)

Shea McClellin – 24 snaps (39 percent)

Jonathan Freeny – 6 snaps (10 percent)

As you would expect, Collins and Hightower played together on nearly every down for the Patriots at linebacker. Collins didn’t miss a single snap; Hightower was off the field for only three snaps. Meanwhile, offseason addition McClellin saw the field a good amount, and noted hard worker Freeny appeared on the field a few times.

Looking ahead, don’t expect the distribution of Patriots snap counts at linebacker to change very much. The Patriots have the two best linebackers in football, and they’re going to use them.

Week 2 predictions

Collins – 55 snaps

Hightower – 55 snaps

McClellin – 13 snaps

Freeny – 4 snaps

Next: Defensive backs