With veteran LB David Harris being signed today by New England, it offers a good opportunity to reassess the depth chart at the position. Right now, the linebackers on the roster are: Dont'a Hightower, Rob Ninkovich, David Harris, Elandon Roberts, Shea McClellin, Kyle Van Noy, Jonathan Freeny, Harvey Langi, Brooks Ellis, and Trevor Bates.

Of these players, Hightower, Ninkovich, and Harris should be considered locks based on their contracts. That leaves the rest battling for anywhere between two and four spots on the roster. Roberts, McClellin, and Van Noy were all contributors last season, while Freeny spent 2016 on IR after having a productive 2015. Langi and Ellis are UDFA's, and Bates is entering his second season after being drafted by the Colts and then spending time on New England's practice squad.

The main competitors for making the roster are Roberts, McClellin, Van Noy, Freeny, and Langi.

The signing of Harris may put Roberts on the bubble despite having a productive first year with the team. Both players fill the role of off-the-line linebacker with the ability to play the run and would project to play next to Hightower in New England's base defense.

Freeny and Langi will also be affected by the acquisition of Harris, as this puts them on the wrong side of the roster bubble. Langi, a BYU product, is notable for having received the team's highest contract given to an undrafted free agent this year, and his performance stood out during OTA's. It makes Langi a prime contender for a practice squad.

The signing should have less of an impact on McCellin and Van Noy, who each have their own role; McClellin is a versatile player who offers depth behind Rob Ninkovich, while Van Noy is a situational pass rusher from either on or off the line of scrimmage.

With all that said, here is what the depth chart should look like right now.

Roster Locks: Dont'a Hightower, Rob Ninkovich, David Harris

On the Bubble: Shea McClellin, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Harvey Langi

Outside Looking In: Jonathan Freeny, Brooks Ellis, Trevor Bates