FOXBORO -- The Patriots couldn't address their second-level needs early in the draft, but they took two linebackers on Day 3.
First they grabbed Purdue's Ja'Whaun Bentley with the No. 143 selection. Then, at pick No. 178, they took another run at a 'backer with Arizona State's Christian Sam.
I was told by one NFL assistant, before Bentley came off the board, that Sam was the best "Mike" linebacker remaining on the board. The Patriots took a pass, then came back 35 picks later and still got him.
Physical. Like contact.