Six players from Patriots Opt out for this season

On a day when most players are just arriving at NFL training camps, the New England Patriots are expecting to miss key defensive components for this season. The Patriots have already lost linebackers Kyle Van and Jamie Collins in free agency.

Now, they lost another veteran linebacker as Dont'a Hightower decided to opt out for the season according to ESPN. He finished second on the team to Collins with 71 tackles last season.

The Patriots also lost safety Patrick Chung to an opt out, which likely means that rookie Kyle Dugger, from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, will start off the bat.

New England will also lose backup running back Brandon Bolden according to ESPN along with starting offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, fullback Danny Vitale and backup offensive lineman Najee Toran.

Defensively, that means the Patriots will have a brand new linebacking corps with Ja'Whaun Bentley being one of the few holdovers from last season. Rookie Josh Uche, a second-round pick from Michigan, might have to take Hightower's place at inside linebacker.

At right tackle, with Cannon out, they could go to a rookie like Justin Herron or second-year player Yodney Cajuste, who has no experience.

The biggest loss though is Hightower, a 6-3, 260-pound team captain and defensive leader, who usually calls the defensive signals. He also lined up all over the field, from outside linebacker to inside, to defensive tackle. The Pats needed his leadership with so many new players. However, Hightower recently became a father for the first time at 30