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Patriots: 3 UDFAs who could dominate training camp

By Adam Weinrib

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Jeff Thomas #4 of the Miami Hurricanes makes a catch for a touchdown against Armani Chatman #27 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Jeff Thomas #4 of the Miami Hurricanes makes a catch for a touchdown against Armani Chatman #27 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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De’Jon Harris #8 of the Arkansas Razorbacks is announced on Senior Day before a game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Razorback Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Hilltoppers defeated the Razorbacks 45-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

1. De’Jon Harris, LB

Arkansas’ De’Jon Harris as a major gap to fill with the Patriots that didn’t exist when he joined the team’s pool.

When De’Jon Harris agreed to join the Patriots as an off-the-ball linebacker, he likely believed that, at the very least, he’d be able to learn from one of the best in the game, Dont’a Hightower.

Now, he’s one of the very few left in line to take Hightower’s job.

Though 2019 draftees Anfernee Simons and Josh Uche are doubtlessly ahead of him in that chase, Harris is now only competing with that pair plus Ja’Whaun Bentley in an effort to fill the veteran’s shoes, following his well-reasoned opt out.

Of all the Patriots’ UDFAs, Harris has the highest possible guarantee baked into his salary, though his cap hit is still comparatively minuscule. In a busy senior season, he racked up 101 tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered two as well, and even got a sack on his resumé from the MLB position.

Harris likely joined the Pats looking for a mentor, and potential snaps materialized ahead of him. Even without a preseason’s worth of competition ahead of him, the Razorbacks stalwart is still sitting pretty, ready to prove his worth in rotation with Simmons and Uche when camp commences.

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