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The Patriots have agreed to a three-year deal with LB Robert Spillane that will pay the former Raider more at least $10 million per year, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Spillane spent the past two years as a full-time starter for the Raiders, after working mostly as a backup and special-teamer through four seasons with Pittsburgh and one in Tennessee
Spillane joins a LB corps that already finds Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai under contract for 2025, each at cap hits of more than $5 million.
The Patriots just extended Tavai last season. So he's likely to stay in the lineup.
Bentley's in the final year of his deal and would give New England $4.6 million in cap space if cut. That could make him a casualty ahead of his age-29 season.
Spillane is actually a little older than Bentley, having turned 29 on Dec. 14. But the Patriots clearly believe he can help the defense in all phases going forward.
Pro Football Focus has graded Spillane an elite run defender each of the the past two years but rated him much lower in both coverage and pass rushing.
Spillane, however, has tallied 5.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, and 5 INTs over that span.
Now New England is clearly paying him to be a three-down LB.
Expect Spillane to sit in LB1 territory of the rankings for most IDP drafts in 2025.
The three-year contract is particularly noteworthy for a LB who will turn 30 this December.
It'd obviously be nice for his long-term value if Spillane were younger. But he has been involved in fewer NFL collisions by only spending two of his seven seasons as a full-time starter.
I'd bet on Spillane's fantasy production outperforming his trade value in dynasty leagues over the life of his Pats contract.
It's too early to say who will win in Vegas. But Spillane's departure leaves lots of vacated tackle share, in the same offseason that finds LB Divine Deablo hitting the open market.
Watch for who the Raiders add via free agency and/or the draft at LB.
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