Ja'Whaun Bentley Fantasy

New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, who recently signed a two-year contract extension that includes $9 million guaranteed, ranks second among 89 linebackers with a 39.5 percent run-stop win rate since 2018, according to ESPN analytics. His production in coverage, which was viewed as a weakness when he entered the NFL, has steadily evolved. According to NFL NextGen Stats, 55 linebackers were targeted 30-plus time in coverage last year, and Bentley ranked eighth-best in allowing 5.4 yards per target. The 26-year-old had a team-high 125 tackles in 2022 and also secured three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 17 games. The former fifth-rounder should garner attention in deeper IDP fantasy formats in 2023.

Jul. 9th • 1:39 PM

The New England Patriots agreed to a two-year, $18.75 maximum extension on Thursday with linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, according to sources. The deal includes $9 million fully guaranteed. Bentley earned the extension by recording a team-high 125 tackles (62 solo), career-high three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 17 games for the Patriots in his fifth season with the team. The 26-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Patriots in 2018 out of Purdue has more than solidified his spot as one of the team's starting inside linebackers moving forward. As long as Bentley stays healthy in 2023, he should be on the radar of fantasy managers in deeper IDP formats.

Jun. 29th • 2:51 PM

The New England Patriots agreed to re-sign linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley on a two-year deal worth a maximum of $9 million on Friday, according to a source. Bentley was the team's leading tackler last season with 109 (68 solo), and he also had five tackles for loss, five QB hits, three forced fumbles and one sack in 16 starts in his fourth year in New England. The 25-year-old suffered an arm injury in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, but he's expected to be fine for offseason workouts this spring. Bentley was a fifth-round pick by New England in 2018 out of Purdue, and he also had a solid 91 total tackles (50 solo), three tackles for loss, three QB hits and 1.5 sacks in 13 starts in 2020. It's a big addition to the Patriots defense for the next two years.

Mar. 18th • 4:20 PM