Times have changed.
What was once available to the Patriots at the linebacker position every year is no longer. At least, what was once available -- bulky 250-pound (or heavier) players entering the NFL Draft -- is no longer available in bulk.
"It's a different game than it was 20, 30, 40 years ago and that player has also changed," Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh said two years ago. "There's not as many of those big linebackers. They just -- they don't exist. Colleges want them smaller because they've got to be able to adapt to the college game.