A slow forty-yard dash can apparently only hurt a prospect so much.
The Patriots selected Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes with the No. 62 overall pick Friday, pairing him with college teammate Jermaine Cunningham, who was taken nine picks before.
Spikes has looked like a Patriot-type all along. He’s known for his toughness, leadership and instinct for the ball, which make up for his slow long speed. In a perfect world, he would be in the mold of former Patriots Ted Johnson and Tedy Bruschi.
Spikes seems likely to be planted at inside linebacker next to Jerod Mayo and could be a two-down starter immediately. (We’re not sure the Patriots will keep him on the field for passing downs, especially with Gary Guyton around.)
In theory, Bill Belichick defenses should be built around linebackers. That hasn’t been the case recently. An overhaul of the unit in New England was long overdue.