Dont'a Hightower Fantasy
- Height / Weight
- 6'3" / 260 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- March 12, 1990 (34)
- Experience
- 10th Season
- Drafted
- 2012 / Rd. 1 / Pk. 25 (NE)
- College
- Alabama
Season Logs
Game Logs
Dont'a Hightower News
Linebacker Dont'a Hightower announced his retirement from professional football on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday. "It's been a hell of a ride and a career beyond my wildest dreams. It's time to hang em up, from the bottom of my heart - thank you to everyone who played a part," Hightower wrote. The 33-year-old spent all nine of his NFL seasons playing for the New England Patriots, and he'll finish his career with 569 tackles (353 solo), 27 sacks, 43 tackles for loss, 67 QB hits, one interception, 18 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns) in 117 regular season games (114 starts). Hightower made two Pro Bowls in his career and also won three Super Bowl rings in New England.
ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss lists New England Patriots linebackers Dont'a Hightower, Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jamie Collins Sr., offensive tackle Trent Brown and cornerback J.C. Jackson as those impending free agents more likely to depart the team this offseason. Hightower could be a landing spot in Pittsburgh due to his Brian Flores connection. He's heading into his age-32 season and had 64 tackles (39 solo), four QB hits and only 1.5 sacks in 15 regular season games in 2021. The two-time Pro Bowler has spent all nine of his NFL seasons with the Patriots, but New England rarely re-signs veteran players late in their careers.
New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, who all opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, are planning to return in 2021, according to sources. All three are in a good place physically. Without them last year, New England finished 27th in yards per game and points scored per game while also finishing 15th in yards allowed per game in 2020. As a result, the Patriots missed the playoffs in their first season without quarterback Tom Brady for the first time since the 2000 season. They still have plenty of holes to fill in order to make a return to the postseason, including under center, but getting Hightower, Chung and Cannon back is a good first step as we approach the start of the new league year in March.
Depth Chart
- Offense
- Defense