Big trade today as the Patriots acquired 2013 6th-overall pick Barkevious Mingo for a 2017 5th-round draft pick.
Browns are trading the sixth overall pick from the 2013 draft, LB Barkevious Mingo, to the New England Patriots, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2016
Mingo hadn’t lived up to expectations in Cleveland, like so many before him. This offseason he bulked up, adding 20 pounds, getting up to around 260 pounds. That extra weight should help, and at least shows some dedication. Cleveland didn’t pick up his fifth-year option this offseason, so he’ll be a free agent next year.
He had five sacks as a rookie, but just two in 2014 and none last year. He ended up playing mostly special teams in 2015 which of course adds to his value in New England.
Now the big question is how will Mingo fit into the Patriots’ scheme. There’s been some blurred lines between linebacker and defensive end in recent years so it’s hard to say whether they’ll try him in a hybrid role like Rob Ninkovich or make him primarily a defensive end like Jabaal Sheard, another Cleveland castoff. It would seem Mingo would be best used like Jamie Collins, where he’s not asked to set the edge or get into a tight quarters battle with offensive linemen.
If he can be moved around and used off the line, the Pats could harness his sick athleticism which made him a top-10 pick.
Here are the strengths that NFL.com wrote about that made Mingo a 6th-overall pick:
Tall, long and explosive pass rusher who projects best as a stand-up, weakside edge rusher in the NFL. Incredible first step off the snap, can turn the corner on the outside and shimmy inside against leaning tackles. Not a contact-shy player despite his slight build, often lines up on the strong side and/or inside of tight ends in a tight alignment. Strong player setting the edge against the run. Willing to take on tackles man-up, extends his arms to keep distance and can get off to grab backs trying to get through the hole. Takes tight ends into the background using his length and footwork. Works through blocks to get down the line to chase plays. Overall agility and length make him effective in coverage, can stay with running backs out of the backfield and wrap up receivers in space. Excellent straight-line speed shows when chasing down plays from behind. Uses his length and jumping ability to knock down passes if unable to reach the quarterback.
And the bottom line, which seems applicable to his move to New England:
Mingo looks almost too lean to handle the physicality of NFL linemen, but has surprising strength to go along with the elite length and straight-line speed to rack up big sack numbers (he had eight in 2011) and track down ball carriers (15 tackles for loss) as a 3-4 rush linebacker at the next level. He is a boom-or-bust prospect. Mingo’s production dropped as a junior, and he failed to show much overall growth in his game over the course of his career. However, KeKe flashed the talent and projectable skills to be a dominant NFL pass rusher, and a position switch will likely serve him well, as the LSU Tiger was too often asked to play in a tight alignment on the strong side in college — a poor use of his strengths.
Like they do with every new face, the Pats will give Mingo a chance to earn his role and see how he best fits. With Shea McClellin, Sheard and Ninkovich all currently fighting injuries, Mingo’s presence is a welcome addition of depth. His body type and playing style is certainly unique to the Patriots front seven. I think they’ll use him standing up at linebacker to maximize his strengths, something the Patriots always hang their hat on.
If the Pats can get Mingo to rediscover the talent that made him so highly regarded coming out of LSU, they just improved their defense dramatically.
