Jeff Howe On Toucher & Rich: Is Jonathan Bostic The Patriots' Future Replacement For Jerod Mayo?
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots made a depth move at the linebacker position on Monday, acquiring Jonathan Bostic from the Chicago Bears for a 2016 sixth-round draft pick. How will the 2013 second-round pick out of Florida fit in the New England defense?
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald called Toucher & Rich Tuesday morning to talk Patriots, and was asked about what kind of player the Patriots got in Bostic. Howe said he was a draft-day target for the Patriots, who "did their homework" on Bostic and "clearly liked him."
Bostic hasn't lived up to expectations in his first two seasons in the NFL and dealt with multiple injuries, including ankle and back troubles so far in 2015. But the Patriots still see potential in him to thrive in Bill Belichick's system.
"[Bostic]'s a freakishly athletic sort of guy who just needs to get it at the NFL level," Howe said. "And when you're learning from a guy like Bill Belichick you're either going to get it or you don't. I think they just saw the athletic talent that he has and they're going to try to make it work and round out his game."
The other storyline emerging from the Bostic acquisition is the status of Jerod Mayo, who hasn't played many snaps so far in 2015 as he recovers from a torn patellar tendon muscle. With another contract discussion coming up, the Patriots may be looking at Bostic as a future, cheaper replacement for Mayo.
"Because of what we saw with Logan Mankins last year, you can't overlook the fact that Jerod Mayo is going to have a contract discussion again next offseason," Howe said. "And if they decide to part ways with him if they can't make it work for the second offseason in a row, then all of a sudden you're looking for your third linebacker on the depth chart. So a guy like Bostic could eventually be that replacement if it doesn't work out the ideal way with Mayo."
Howe also went around the AFC and analyzed the Patriots' chances of getting back to the Super Bowl this season. Listen to the full clip below.
