Patriots draft linebacker Cassh Maluia in sixth round

With their final pick in the sixth round, 204 overall, the Patriots drafted linebacker Cassh Maluia from Wyoming.

Maluia is a 5-foot-11, 231-pound athletic inside linebacker. He ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at his Wyoming Pro Day, which the Patriots were present for. He made 61 tackles, seven for loss, with two interceptions last year. He earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference team honors for the effort. Maluia also has special teams experience.

Maluia was a [...]

With their final pick in the sixth round, 204 overall, the Patriots drafted linebacker Cassh Maluia from Wyoming.

Maluia is a 5-foot-11, 231-pound athletic inside linebacker. He ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at his Wyoming Pro Day, which the Patriots were present for. He made 61 tackles, seven for loss, with two interceptions last year. He earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference team honors for the effort. Maluia also has special teams experience.

Maluia was a productive player in college. In four years, he made 198 tackles, 16.5 for loss, to go with four interceptions and 11 pass deflections. It's possible that the Patriots see him as a potential replacement for Elandon Roberts, who signed with Miami this offseason. Like Maluia, Roberts was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round back in 2016.

The Pats lost Roberts, Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy in free agency. They responded by drafting three edge rushers/linebackers in Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings and now, Maluia.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

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