The New England Patriots claimed linebacker Erick Hunter off waivers from the Detroit Lions on Tuesday. We examine what role he’ll play on the 53-man roster in Foxboro.
The New England Patriots 53-man roster continues to evolve prior to the regular season.
Off-ball linebacker has been a priority position of need throughout training camp, and New England has been active in making waiver claims since cutdowns this past weekend to supplement the room. With an eye for improving the depth behind the starters through the acquisitions of promising developmental talent, the Patriots’ latest addition may provide value on several of the team’s units.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest addition to New England’s’ linebacking corps, Erick Hunter:
Who is Erick Hunter?
Delaware Blue Hens wide receiver Brett Buckman (13) picks up 20 yards against the Morgan State Bears linebacker Erick Hunter (40) during the first half of the homecoming football game at Delaware Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Delaware won 38-7.Hunter, 23, was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) on May 12, 2026.
The former Morgan State Bears’ linebacker excelled at the FCS level, finishing his five-year collegiate career ranked second in school history with 298 tackles in 45 games. He added 35 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, and 12 pass breakups to his career totals, and was recognized with several accolades: All-MEAC First Team (2023, 2025), FCS Football Central All-American Third Team (2023, 2025), Academic All-MEAC (2022), Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalist (2025), HBCU Player of the Year finalist (2025), and BOXTOROW HBCU All-American Team (2025), among others.
At his Pro Day, Hunter measured in at 6’2 ⅜”, 224 pounds, with 33 ⅓” arms and 10 ⅜” hands. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds (1.57 second 10-yard split), leaped 37” in the vertical jump, 10’1” in the broad jump, bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times, and completed the 20-yard shuttle in 4.21 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.40 seconds. Those testing metrics earned him a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 8.64, ranking 474th of 3,480 linebacker prospects from 1987-2026.
Another in a line of downhill defenders at the second-level, Hunter was revered as an elite run-stopper with great length, closing speed, and the added benefit of extensive special teams contributions. Aside from his conference-best 102 tackles as a redshirt senior in 2025, the highlight of his year came on a blocked kick that was returned 90 yards for a touchdown against Norfolk State.
Those contributions translated to his preseason performance with Detroit. Hunter recorded seven tackles, four stops, and one fumble recovery while registering a run defense grade of 90.3 (team-high) and overall defensive grade of 83.1 (third-highest mark on Lions), per PFF. On special teams, Hunter played on the kick coverage, kick return, punt coverage, punt return, and field goal block units and racked up three tackles with a 90.2 grade (team-high).
Hunter’s Role
Aug 3, 2026; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Erick Hunter (48) takes part in a linebacker drill during Detroit Lions training camp. Mandatory Credit: Paul Barnick-Imagn ImagesNew England’s linebacker room behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss has taken a much different form entering the 2026 regular season.
After losing their top rotational backup, Jack Gibbens, to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, the Patriots welcomed several new faces to replace his production. A training camp battle between Chad Muma, K.J. Britt, and rookies Namdi Obiazor (sixth-round, No. 212 overall) and Khalil Jacobs (UDFA) resulted in Muma’s release and Britt’s re-signing on the practice squad, while Jacobs is set to begin the year on injured reserve.
The underwhelming preseason performance and subsequent roster movement in the room opened the door for external hires at the beginning of this week. Hunter is the second waiver claim at linebacker currently on the 53-man roster, joining 2024 UDFA and former New York Giants’ starter Darius Muasau, who was added to the team on Monday.
While the evolution of the group may continue in the lead-up through the early part of the regular season, Hunter doesn’t project to play a major factor on the defensive side of the ball to begin his professional career. Behind the starters, Muasau, Obiazor, and Britt (if he’s called-up from the practice squad) will be ahead of him in the pecking order. The same could be said for Jacobs when he’s eligible to return after four games.
More immediately, Hunter’s value will come on special teams — where he was a standout for Detroit in the preseason, and an area of New England’s roster that has seen massive turnover this offseason.
Looking Ahead
Detroit Lions linebacker Erick Hunter (48) celebrates after coming up with the strip sack in the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Detroit won 17-13.Hunter’s acquisition adds depth to a thin linebacking corps in Foxboro, but his primary contributions in the short-term will likely be focused on special teams. With just four returning core special teamers from 2025, the Patriots’ latest signing was a standout in that area during the preseason and can use those skills to work his way onto the field early while he continues to develop on the defensive side of the ball. Hunter fills the suit as an aggressive, run-stuffing project at linebacker that head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr have shown an affinity for, with the added benefit of versatility to make an impact across several special teams units.
How much of an impact do you think Erick Hunter will make at linebacker in New England? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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