The New England Patriots are set to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and there’s one particular defensive player the Patriots could utilize on their roster.
That player would be Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin, who is this week’s pick for Gimme Him.
Franklin has 123 tackles with two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception on the season. He has been a consistent playmaker for the Colts with his most recent effort being a 13-tackle performance against the Detroit Lions.
The veteran defender is a tackling machine with 100 combined tackles in each of his last three seasons, including a career-high 179 tackles in 2023. He is also a workhorse playmaker, having played 100 percent of the snaps in two out of the last three seasons.
The Patriots could use his veteran leadership at a linebacker position that is missing team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley, who suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in September. Franklin would offer stability to a Patriots defense that has not been consistent all year.
New England has several holes, and the linebacker position would be a good place to start. Franklin would be that key piece that would not only elevate the position, but he’d elevate the entire defensive unit as a whole.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]