Chicago Bears: 3 free agent linebackers available to fill Danny Trevathan void
Manti Te’o
If you go to your computer or phone and just search Manti Te’o, you will still find articles about his “girlfriend” at the top of the search. If you do not know what I am talking about, Te’o was catfished by one of his friends and teammates. It became a national story that has stuck with Te’o and will likely never be forgotten.
Te’o did his best at putting that behind him though as the Notre Dame standout was drafted in the second round by the Chargers. Te’o fell from a first-round lock to the 38th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Before the hoax took place, Te’o was projected as a top 15 player and some had him in their top five rankings. The hoax did not help, but either did his performance against Alabama.
Notre Dame had a strong 2012 regular season and faced off against Alabama in the BCS Championship game. Alabama dominated the game from start to finish and beat the Fighting Irish 42-14. Te’o struggled mightily to get off blocks in this game. Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon ran over Notre Dame for a combined 248 yards and two touchdowns. Amari Cooper added 105 yards and two more touchdowns through the air.
The performance Te’o in that game is more likely what cost him the first round in the 2013 NFL Draft, but the hoax did not help. In the NFL though, Te’o has shown signs of success as an inside linebacker for both the Chargers and the Saints.
In his rookie season, Te’o started in 13 games and recorded 73 combined tackles and six tackles for loss. He followed that up with 61 combined tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception in only six games started. His best season was in 2015. Te’o started 12 games and finished with 82 combined tackles (62 solos), four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception.
Te’o missed most of the 2016 season due to injury, but then signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2017. He started 11 games for the Saints and racked up 62 combined tackles while manning their middle linebacker spot. The team barely played him in 2018 though and his contract was not renewed in the offseason.
Just like Zach Brown, Te’o could make for a solid depth piece and should not break the bank.