Going into the 2003 NFL Draft, I was a fan of University of Michigan linebacker Victor Hobson. The man was a tackling machine for the Wolverines and one of their best defenders since corner back Charles Woodson.
The Pats were set at the position, but they were long in the tooth with Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Roman Phifer, and Ted Johnson. Hobson wasn't worth a first round pick, but I thought it would had been great to take him in the second round.
But the Pats passed on two occasions, selecting free safety Eugene Wilson and later wide out Bethel Johnson instead. Eight picks later the rival Jets snapped up Hobson.
You could say New England later made a good LB pick with Tully Banta-Cain with one of their three seventh-rounds picks, but all the other ones years later never worked out: Ryan Claridge in '05, Jeremy Mincey in '06, Oscar Lua and Justin Rogers in '07.
Hobson won't get a lot of sacks, but he should work well in a rotation on the inside, pairing with Bruschi and whoever. Victor lacks height but is heavy enough for the job and will be good in coverage. He's just what the Patriots need in their depleted state at the position.
I just wish the Patriots didn't wait until now to add Hobson to the roster.
Keywords: Bethel Johnson, Eugene Wilson, Jeremy Mincey, Justin Rogers, Oscar Lua, Ryan Claridge, Ted Johnson, Tedy Bruschi, Tully Banta-Cain, Victor Hobson, Willie McGinest
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