Patriots will be hard-pressed to fill the holes left by Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins

A continuing series looking at how the Patriots could fill positions in the NFL Draft, April 23 to 25.

When discussing Patriots linebackers, not all players have the same responsibilities.

You have those who clog the middle, shoot the gaps and stop running backs. You have players who drop back to cover running backs or tight ends. Then you have bigger linebackers who make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

For the Patriots, Kyle Van Noy (now in [...]

A continuing series looking at how the Patriots could fill positions in the NFL Draft, April 23 to 25.

When discussing Patriots linebackers, not all players have the same responsibilities.

You have those who clog the middle, shoot the gaps and stop running backs. You have players who drop back to cover running backs or tight ends. Then you have bigger linebackers who make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

For the Patriots, Kyle Van Noy (now in Miami) and Jamie Collins (now in Detroit) did a lot of the run stopping, but they also excelled in making life miserable for quarterbacks. Last season, Collins led the Pats in sacks, tackles and tackles for a loss. Van Noy led the Patriots in quarterback hits and was second on the team in sacks.

The team needs to find a way to replace both outside linebackers next season.

That's where this draft comes in. Over the last 20 years, the average linebacker drafted by Bill Belichick stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 245 pounds. He runs the 40 in 4.7, has a 33-inch vertical jump, has more than 22 reps on the bench press, has a 116-inch broad jump and averages 7.18 in the 3-cone and 4.33 in the shuttle drills.

Here are some outside linebacker prospects who fit the Patriots mold.

Casey Toohill, Stanford

Of all the linebackers at the NFL Combine, Toohill and Malik Harrison tied for most hits by reaching seven of eight categories — height, weight, 40 time, vertical, broad jump, 3-cone and shuttle time. For an edge rusher, Toohill also ties for the most hits of all defensive ends at the Combine.

Toohill led Stanford with eights sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss last season. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors. He was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which goes to a standout scholar-athlete for academic success, football performance and leadership. He's projected to go on Day 3 of the draft (Rounds 4-7).

Malik Harrison, Ohio State

Harrison also hit on seven of eight categories with height, weight, 40 time, vertical, broad jump, 3-cone and shuttle time. He didn't participate in the bench press. Harrison is projected to go on Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) of the draft.

Harrison, who went to Ohio State, was a third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten after leading his team with 75 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, to go with 4.5 sacks. Harrison has the versatility to play all linebacker spots and has experience as a core special-teamer.

Zack Baun, Wisconsin

Baun is one of three outside linebackers with five hits — height, 40 time, bench, 3-cone and shuttle. Of 41 linebackers, he's one of four who hits the mark on the bench press. He's projected to go either in the first or second round.

Baun is athletic, which explains why he was recruited as a dual- threat quarterback out of high school. Last season, he finished with 12.5 sacks, 76 tackles and 19.5 tackles for loss. He earned second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors. He has the athleticism to cover tight ends and backs. Baun's NFL.com comparison is Van Noy.

Davion Taylor, Colorado

Taylor is undersized (6-feet and 228 pounds), but he's a solid athlete who hits five marks — 40 time, vertical, broad jump, 3-cone and shuttle time. He's projected to go on Day 3.

Taylor has an interesting story. Due to religious reasons, he played only one football game in high school as he is a Seventh-day Adventist. They celebrate the Sabbath from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. He eventually went to community college before landing at Colorado. Last year, he finished with 69 tackles, 8.5 for loss. He's raw, but plays fast (4.49 speed) and has coverage ability. He profiles as someone who would help on special teams.

K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU

Because he was in the national championship game, Chaisson didn't participate in the NFL Combine. However, he's a projected first-round pick and one of the best outside linebackers in the draft. Of 41 linebackers at the Combine, he was one of five to hit both checkmarks for height (6-4) and weight (249 pounds).

Chaisson played at LSU as a true freshman. He missed 2018 with a torn ACL, but had no problems bouncing back. Chaisson earned first-team All-SEC honors last season after leading LSU with 6.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss to go with 60 tackles. He's said to be smart and an outstanding leader.