A deeper look at Akeem Ayers
The Patriots recently lost Jerod Mayo to a season ending injury and have lost Chandler Jones for a month due to a hip injury. So a linebacker was an essential and it was almost a guarantee that they were going to trade for a linebacker it just depended on who.
The Patriots got a good deal on Ayers departing with a sixth round pick for the linebacker and a seventh round pick. Unless you were following Ayers throughout college you are probably unfamiliar with the fourth year player Akeem Ayers. Who is Ayers and how will he plan to fit into the Patriots defense?
Ayers underwent two knee surgeries in the offseason and this trade is still pending a physical, which is important considering his knee problems. This is a good trade for the Patriots because it is a low risk, high reward move and at the very least Ayers will add depth to a thin linebacker position for the Patriots.
What are Ayers' strengths? He is a big long defender, that has solid agility and quickness for his size. At 6'3 255 pounds and with his athleticism, he be able to show his versatility in the Patriots defense. He does not have the strength to be a consistent contributor in the run defense, but has the bend and quickness to rush the passer. Ayers also has the speed and ball skills to be able to cover and run with opposing tight ends and backs.
Ayers has for the most part been healthy scratches this season as he never was able to find his way into defensive coordinator Ray Horton's 3-4 defense, but Ayers has played in both the 3-4 and 4-3 defense so he has the versatility that Bill Belichick loves.
Where will he project in the Patriots defense?
With the injury to Jerod Mayo the addition of Ayers may allow Hightower to slide into the Middle Linebacker position. Ayers has experience playing on and off the line in his NFL years and his years at UCLA. He has the range, ball skills, and coverage skills to play strong side linebacker in a 4-3, while also having the balance and bend to be able to play outside linebacker in 3-4. If he is able establish and prove himself capable of playing on the line, it will prove best for the Patriots as they can play around with their defensive personnel a little more.
Overall, this is smart move for the Patriots as it is a low risk high reward type of move for a low draft pick and a player in a contract year. Belichick is always looking for buy low players and Ayers fits the bill. The success of this trade weighs heavily on Ayers ability to prove that he is healthy and his ability to fit himself into the Patriots scheme.
What do you think of the move for Ayers? Where do you think he will fit in?
Follow me on Twitter at @aludwig25,
For more of my articles, click here.
