The draft might be over, but the team building is still getting underway. The New England Patriots brought in two former linebackers for work outs, with the potential to add some depth or value while Jerod Mayo gets up to game speed and Dont'a Hightower recovers from injury.
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots worked out Dane Fletcher, who spent 2010-2013 as a Patriots special teamer and top back-up linebacker. The Patriots were awarded a seventh round compensatory pick when Fletcher left for the Buccaneers last off-season. Fletcher is a quality all-around linebacker, who actually stepped up and took Hightower's spot against the Broncos in 2013, before Hightower found his groove.
New England also worked out Brandon Spikes, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Spikes was also a member of the Patriots from 2010-2013 and started alongside Mayo in the middle of the Patriots 3-4 defense. Spikes offers less special teams value than Fletcher, but can also do this:
"@PP_Rich_Hill: Jeez @BrandonSpikes51 have mercy 2x. pic.twitter.com/BPZBysj9R7" up most respect for him tho hard runner 4 sure
— BrandonSpikes51 (@BrandonSpikes51) January 21, 2015
If the Patriots feel like they might be down a starting linebacker, Spikes would make a lot of sense back in New England. If they're looking more for depth, then Fletcher could be their man.
Who would you rather see back with the Patriots?