Heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, the five most accurate mock drafters of the past five years all had the New England Patriots select a linebacker in the first round. Not only did the team not draft the two mentioned — Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean — they ended up not taking a player at the position at all.
They did add one linebacker in rookie free agency, signing undrafted Purdue edge DaMarcus Mitchell, but in general left the position group as it was entering draft weekend. Why? The way the board fell might have had an impact on it, but the linebackers currently under contract with the Patriots also cannot be disregarded.